Find where he's bedding. I doubt seriously he's staying bedded from dawn to dusk. He's on his feet in daylight in the evening close to his bed. Find his bed, hunt close.

You're right about the rut, they'll move a lot more as breeding gets closer. And I've seen them range for a mile or more during rut. Depends on the buck. Some completely vacate the area and return in late January / February. But the best time to kill him is now.