The permit is good for 6 months. So anytime between now and May. Or they can just let it expire without drilling. If there is a pad, that's a good sign that you've passed the ado stage.
AB, they can drill away. Samson seems to be focused on Red River Parish with their two rigs and have three undrilled locations so it may take 3-4 months to get up to your area.
Do you believe Samson Contour to be a competent haysnesville operator? I know they have a good reputation in Oklahoma, just wasn't sure how well they can drill a technical horizontal.
It's no more than a guess when drilling will begin. Sometimes permits are applied for, and expire in 6 months without being drilled. Sometimes pads are built and not drilled for over 6 months.
Of course, having the permit issued is a better sign than not having the permit issued.