Craig, our California F&G officers tell us we can grow grains as long as we don't manipulate them in any way prior to flooding. Can't mow or graze with animals.
Oddly, the rules allow mowing grain fields to bait doves. That renders those fields dead if we want to later flood for ducks. The game wardens warned us that excessive/aggressive quad or Argo driving may be manipulation.

We've found that by mowing trails before the grains head out we are able to avoid the question of manipulation. Mowing also opens up landing areas in an otherwise solid carpet of vegetation where water doesn't show up well. Brian

I like to shoot ducks over a native cattail marsh. I think it is OK for folks to plant and flood but it's like putting out a pile of apples for deer to me. I guess in many places all that's left is land manipulated by man, it's a shame.

It's nice to shoot ducks over native waters but in some areas the only way to kill birds is to hunt them on managed land.

I'll take it either way, I just like to duck hunt, so flood up some corn and I'm there or lets get out the sneak boat and go on the big lake. To each their own, as long as it's ducks I'm in.

Destry