As far as getting run down by some plonker attaching it to the bow would possible be the safest.

I don't run one often on my ski but when I have used it, attaching to the front was the best way, keeps the bow pointing into the wind and chop which aids in slowing drift speed. Have heard of a few people getting the rope wrapped around the pump though haha so maybe have something to prevent this. 

The easiest way to run it off the bow is to first set up a leader line about 1.5m long. Attach one end to the bow with a loop. The other end has a cylinder float and ends in a  caribeener type clip. When you put your drogue in the water run the line through the caribeener clip and then make a large loop knot in the line so it wont slide past the knot. Make sure you have about 2.5 m of extra line beyond that point so that the leader and drogue deploys off the bow but you still have the bitter end of the drogue line with you back where you sit on the ski. . When its time to go just pull it in, the leader with the float and caribeener will come alongside you and then you just pull it all in and unclip it from the leader. If you drop the leader in the water it has a float so you wont lose it where you cant get to it.