RE: Where to put the stand?
Nothing beats preseason scouting. I live in OK and the deer at this time are changing rapidly. Try to go out and observe the deer from a distant vantage point a few days before season. Learn what deer are in the area and how they are moving then set your stand accordingly remember that you have to get there with as little disturbance as possible. Sometimes you may want to mow a path to the stand through grass so you are not loud in approaching.
Try to figure out what they are doing right now. Where are they bedding or feeding? When? Are they moving morning, evening, midday?
Don't sweat going to the stand carry extra clothes.