RE: Big-buck places
Why stay out? Early season is when the deer are at least still patternable. If you know where the big fella is eating and sleeping at based on all your late summer scouting, getting close to him the first couple weeks of season should be easier. But, once the rut hits and they start chasing does all over helter skelter, how are you supposed to pattern that?
I'm not saying to swing for the fence the opening day and setup in his bedroom, but treading lightly on his turf isn't a bad idea the opening weeks. If I have a nice bucks bedding area pinpointed, I would setup on his bed only during the week or so leading up to the rut and only in good wind and conditions. If you blow him off his bedding area then, chances are its not going to matter too much anyway since he won't be using it all that much once he starts roaming around looking for a girlfriend.
just my two cents