Crop manipulation

[Blackduck]

I have a question that few people have ever given the same answer to. When hunting ducks over ag crops (corn, cotton, millet, ect.) I've always been told that the only way to manipulate the crop was throught normal farming practices; ie no cutting down just a patch of corn for the ducks to land in it. So if you plant a hand full of millet in front of your blind and don't cut it or purposely knock down the seed heads,is that legal? Obviously it isn't there to be farmed or raise a crop. Also how does the law relate to doves. How late can you mow down a row of sunflowers? 1week, two weeks, five days? before the season begins. Please help clarify these muddy waters fellas. I'd appreciate it.

"Son, put your call and your head down" [img]images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img]

[DUCKAHOLIC]

Hey Black the dove and duck is two seperate things ,the law allows for manipulation on dove but doesnt on duck.The best ansewer is to read the law yourself on USF&W web page.WWW.fws.gov after you read it if there is any part thats confusing (and this is federal so it will be) e-mail me and I will explain it as best I can.

[ September 18, 2001: Message edited by: DUCKAHOLIC ]

[Wingman]

On ag-crops for ducks, you can do whatever you want to a crop, as long as it's a normal practice. Say you have corn, you can bring th combine in and cut it, but you can't bushhog it down just for the ducks. I guess you could really get picky on what is a normal farming practice. Take a rice field. Some folks roll their stubble after harvest, now that is a normal practice and also works when you need to make a hole. As for millet, you can't do anything to it except leave it...but, if the millet comes up the next spring, then it's considered natural and then you can bushhog it along with the rest of the grasses. But as mentioned above, ask an official for the legal answer.

Wingman