I would take late season over early season if I had to choose. Especially in IL, I have had some great late season hunts. Mornings usually not very good for me.I like evenings and mid day hunts during full or new moon periods. When it is extremely cold like now, early afternoons have been good, so I would try to be settled in around 1.

My buddy killed a nice buck (150ish) in IL Sat evening. It was the third time he had seen that buck since second shotgun season.