Timing and having an easy in/out route is crucial. Timing not only meaning time of season, but also time of day. Most of these stands are best hunted early in the morning to early afternoon. You need to be in position VERY early in the morning, while the deer are still feeding else where.

As to how far/near to be youjust have to use good judgement, but I will say that as Jeff eluded to, I would be conservitive in the early season since you can always move closer later on.