Due to ongoing drought condition, farmers are mowing or tilling their unharvested crops to collect insurance payments.

The Department of Natural Resources, DNR, reminds hunters the manipulation, including mowing or tilling, of those unharvested crops is not a normal agricultural practice for waterfowl hunting purposes. DNR Conservation Police Officer Ray Wichus says IDNR has received guidance from the US Fish and Wildlife Service that federal baiting laws apply even during times of drought.

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It is recommended hunters familiarize themselves with baiting laws in Illinois. Wichus says they can have a representative from the USDA to find out if the amount of spillage at the site is more than what is regulated. Wichus adds, hunters shouldn't have to bait in Illinois. He believes there is enough game that the animals shouldn't have to be baited.

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There can be cases where a penalty could result in the loss of the firearm that is used and the game taken. Wichus says to avoid any issues, do homework before you head out hunt. He encourages scouting the night before, day, or week before.

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Frequently Asked Questions regarding hunting crop fields mowed or tilled due to drought insurance claims:

1. If a standing grain crop is 100% void of any ears (corn field produced no ears), can the field be mowed then hunted?

Yes, as long as there is no grain present in the field. A field that produces NO ears of corn will probably be a rare occurrence.

2. If a standing grain crop has any amount of grain present after it is mowed, can it be hunted?

No, it is a “baited area” until 10 days after the complete removal of the grain.

3. Can a standing crop that was mowed be disked and made legal for hunting?

The field can only be hunted after all exposed grain has been completely removed or buried for a period of 10 days. Hunters should keep in mind that if a dry field is tilled to the extent that no grain is visibly present, strong winds or the first rain is likely to wash off some covered grain, thus still making it a baited situation.

4. Why can a person not hunt over a mowed area?

Under federal baiting regulations, mowing or tilling of a standing crop is not a “normal agricultural planting, harvesting, post-harvest manipulation, or normal soil stabili-zation practice” as determined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension Service.

For questions about federal baiting regulations, please call 217-782-6431, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.