I prefer mornings and they've also proved more successful, for myself and a lot of my friends. Now, I actually hunt more afternoons, BY FAR (just how my schedule works out) even though I prefer mornings and I've still killed more and better bucks in the AM.
During the pre-rut/rut, morning is the time to be out. But bucks are on their feet all night, then, will check does trails followed by doe bedding after the does have out in for the day. This seems to be the most productive mature buck hunting time for many, including what I see on my videos.
Afternoons during rut are good as wel, but, they in no way compare to the movement a cold, frosty November morning will return.
If I could hunt only AM or PM during the rut, its AM for me.
Each property and each deer is different. My totally unpressured properties, I see different movement than my properties that are in high pressure areas. I actually, on my extremely large properties, see different movement in the secluded areas of the land than I do on the fringes.
Again, its all about WHERE and what time of the year you are hunting.
Just like countless guys post on here that a buck is 100% nocturnal because hes only getting photos of him over his gigantic bait site at night. that buck may be on.his feet all day long, who knows, and its just that he doesn't get to your bait until after dark, for whatever reason.
So, while i prefer mornings, the location and the deer I'm hunting will dictate when I go