Hunters should be aware that normal harvesting practices can be unique to specific parts of the country. However, the Fish and Wildlife Service will continue to make final determinations about whether these recommendations were followed. To be considered normal, an agricultural planting, agricultural harvesting, and agricultural post-harvest manipulation must be conducted in accordance with recommendations of the Cooperative Extension Service (i.e., planting dates, application rates, etc.). In general, the presence of long rows, piles, or other heavy concentrations of grain should raise questions about the legality of the area for waterfowl hunting.Ī normal post-harvest manipulation first requires a normal agricultural harvest and removal of grain before any manipulation of remaining agricultural vegetation, such as corn stubble or rice stubble. Lands planted by means of top sowing or aerial seeding can only be hunted if seeds are present solely as the result of a normal agricultural planting or normal soil stabilization practice (see section on wildlife food plots).Ī normal agricultural harvest is undertaken for the purpose of gathering a crop. Relevant factors include recommended planting dates, proper seed distribution, seed bed preparation, application rate, and seed viability.Ī normal soil stabilization practice is a planting for agricultural soil erosion control or post mining land reclamation conducted in accordance with recommendations of the Cooperative Extension Service. Normal agricultural plantings do not involve the placement of seeds in piles or other heavy concentrations. The Fish and Wildlife Service does not make a distinction between agricultural fields planted with the intent to harvest a crop and those planted without such intent so long as the planting is in accordance with recommendations from the Cooperative Extension Service. Department of Agriculture (Cooperative Extension Service).Ī normal agricultural planting is undertaken for the purpose of producing a crop. These activities must be conducted in accordance with recommendations of the State Extension Specialists of the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service of the U.S. The presence of seed or grain in an agricultural area rules out waterfowl hunting unless the seed or grain is scattered solely as the result of a normal agricultural planting, normal agricultural harvesting, normal agricultural post-harvest manipulation, or normal soil stabilization practice. You can flood fields after crops are harvested and use these areas for waterfowl hunting. You can also hunt over standing crops that have been flooded. You can hunt waterfowl in fields of unharvested standing crops. This rule recognizes that waterfowl will still be attracted to the same area even after the bait is gone.Īgricultural lands offer prime waterfowl hunting opportunities. You cannot hunt waterfowl by the aid of baiting or on or over any baited area where you know or reasonably should know that the area is or has been baited.Ī baited area remains off limits to hunting for 10 days after all salt, grain, or other feed has been completely removed. You may also want to check our information on dove hunting and baiting.īaiting is the direct or indirect placing, exposing, depositing, distributing, or scattering of salt, grain, or other feed that could lure or attract waterfowl to, on, or over any areas where hunters are attempting to take them.Ī baited area is any area on which salt, grain, or other feed has been placed, exposed, deposited, distributed, or scattered, if that salt, grain, or feed could serve as a lure or attraction for waterfowl. You should carefully review the Federal regulations.
Waterfowl baiting regulations apply to ducks, geese, swans, coots, and cranes.įederal regulations are more restrictive for waterfowl hunting than for hunting doves and other migratory game birds. State regulations can be more restrictive than Federal regulations. As a waterfowl hunter or land manager, it is your responsibility to know and obey all Federal and State laws that govern the sport.
Federal and State regulations help ensure that these birds continue to thrive while providing hunting opportunities.įederal baiting regulations define key terms for hunters and land managers, and clarify conditions under which you may legally hunt waterfowl. Hunting waterfowl is a popular sport in many parts of the country. Waterfowl and other migratory birds are a national resource protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
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