Depending on where you live,for example here in SE NC where its thick cover, early mid summer I clear paths/shooting lanes for multiple reasons... let the deer acclimate to the the changes/scent dissipate, because of our long growing season, the regrowth the comes back will be tender and the deer will be more apt to use any paths cut in the woods as a food source. Besides it's any reason to be in the woods is a good one. For anyone reading this thread, please when clearing around a tree for your stand, any trees cut, need to be cut flush with the ground ,falling out of a stand is bad enough, but landing on a pungi stick, makes it go from bad to worse.