Here is the reply I got from USFWS. They are the major authority so I take there word as the final say so.....
"Thank you for your inquiry regarding our laws and regulations pertaining to legal hunting methods for migratory game birds. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's mission is, working with others, to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
[SIZE=3]You can hunt over the second growth, but you cannot manipulate the rice which would scatter seed. If the production of potholes in the voluntary rice causes a spreading of seed, that would be considered a baited area and you would not be able to hunt over it.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Thank you for your cooperation in complying with our regulations that help protect fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats. Please feel free to respond to this message with any further inquiries that you may have regarding this matter. [/SIZE]"
Maybe many people have been doing this wrong over the years. I get from the USFWS response that if the holes are made prior to having any seed form on the "voluntary" rice then it is leagal. But even the seed head cannot be manipulated on the "voluntary" rice.
If you were to let that voluntary rice be and then next year that field was not planted with rice but rice came up anyway from the seed from the Previous year then you can manipulate it as you want. This is the same as planting millet....you cannot manipulate it once it seeds out but if you don't plant it the next year and it comes up voluntary it is legal. The seeds/plants have to go through an entire year/growing season for it to be voluntary. From what USFWS is saying they are viewing a second crop in the same year as the SAME growing season. Therefore, manipulation of seedout out voluntary rice at that point is baiting.
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