I prefer to mow the paths and even a couple bigger fields once per year, early in the year to keep the briars down and then let new weed growth come in. Many of the years we mowed reasonably close to deer season, say September, and it seemed like the deer used the trails much less and especially stayed out of the open fields. I think with the weeds coming in some they feel more comfortable and less in the open. We likely will not cut our paths again until next May or June.