manipulation of unsuccessful crops

[indamarsh]

what is the law about knocking down crops (sorghum) that never came to seed. we have areas that it came to head but was flooded before making seed. can we manipulate this if there is no seed?

[music_man]

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but no. You could hunt dove over it, but not waterfowl.
Google 50 CFR 20. It gives the details about it. Long discussion on here last year about this topic, but it was concerning corn with alpha toxin. Basically, you can plant it, harvest it, manipulate it, and hunt over it. But, you can not plant it, manipulate it and hunt over it. It has to be POST harvest manipulation.

[Wingman]

If there is no seed you are fine. I mowed lanes in my rice and grain sorghum and sprayed holes in my millet before it made seed. As long as you aren't scattering the seed or knocking down the crop with seed you are fine.

[YazooValley]

I can't really improve on what The Man says but the regs state:

"Baited area means any area on which salt, grain, or other feed has been placed, exposed, deposited, distributed, or scattered, if that salt, grain, or other feed could serve as a lure or attraction for migratory game birds to, on, or over areas where hunters are attempting to take them."

It doesn't say anything about cutting unfruitful stalks. If you haven't exposed any grain, you're OK.

[music_man]

Thanks again wingman! You are the man! That does make sense! Sorry for my misunderstanding!

[Wingman]

No problem. The seed is the key. That said, even if you knock down seed, you can hunt it ten days after it's completely removed. I've seen ducks eat up my evidence more than once when I was working a bait case.