Jef alot variables to your your quetions but this is what I have experenced.
1.Yes because mostly I hunt food sources bean feilds/picked corn and funnels.
2.No becuase when I get real serious on big bucks it's usally about the time of the rut and the more does the better.
3.If early season it's all about the scouting where I have seen bucks entering a field or know where the are bedding while they are still grouped togather.
4.SCOUTING!!!!!
5.last week of Oct.-Nov20
6.food and funnels most of the time,Thendoe bedding areas.
I hope that helps answer some of your quetions, this has been my experence anyway.. Walt