Tire chains: ok to cut off extra links at end points?

I just got a new set of very heavy duty snow chains. I know I will probably never need them, but you have to carry chains in Calif. in the mountains, and there might be times when I am in the back country during a snow storm.

These are real chains, not cables. When I put them on in my driveway and tightened them up as much as I could, there were a couple of extra links at the end points, both inside the tire and outside. These are at the places where the hooks meet the other side of the chain.

I am a little concerned about these extra links flopping around and hitting my wheel well -- there is plenty of clearance, but it still looks like it could happen.

So I am asking experienced chain users -- is it ok to cut off some of that extra chain? Or should I leave it on, in case I need extra slack while installing the chain under difficult conditions? (I understand that once the chain is on, you roll a little bit and then take up as much slack as possible.)

Thanks in advance for your advice!