If you have doubts why not start clearning earlier than May? Is there a lot of snow on the ground? I don't know, down here in La. we rarely see snow anymore. I like to have all my cutting and work done by the end of Feb. My season opens March 25. I like there to be no disturbance for at least a month before season opens, but that's just me. I'll do more work in the summer and have it all done a couple of months before bow season opens, which is Oct. 1.