Question, is it considered rude/inconsiderate to hunt in the middle of the sunflowers on a field access hunt? I was always told to stay out of the field, regardless of how many birds are out there feeding. You either get them coming or going....that's it.

I think So. Seems like people run them out while the birds are feeding they don't come back. Also how can people go into the field and not be in the line of fire or shooting back at the guys on the edge

On a paid hunt with other people in the same field, pretty sorry.

I guess it depends on what you call the middle. I hunt the 20 to 200 yards into the field all the time. I start on the edge then look to where they are flying. They never use the entire field. Usually one route is better than others. I try to get close to their flyway as possible. I never get where they are landing. Especially with big groups we would put people on the perimeter and a few guys in the middle to keep them moving. Plus It doesn't do any good to sit on a tree line and face the field if they are flying into the field over that tree line from behind you. Find a spot 20 to 30 yards in so you can spot them. I don't know. No one has ever said anything otherwise in all my years. The birds are there then gone. ANY type of hunting pressure moves them along no matter where or how you hunt the field.

Some idiot at Woodson Friday was driving a UTV down the mowed strips about 35-40 MPH yelling "how y'all doing" while we were still hunting. Must have already been drunk at 9am. My brother said that is real good way to get peppered

We had a guy do just this last year. He went to the middle of a 165 yard wide field with his young son and sat his butt down with people hunting both sides of the field. I personally wouldn't have had much of an issue peppering him, but he had his kid with him so I just moved. Absolute douchebag.
The bottom line is it depends on the size of the field you're hunting and the layout. Sometimes it may be OK and others it would be a complete dick move to do it.

What he said. All depends on the field

we hunt the center of our field all the time. but its a lease and the center is 300 yards away from any fence or tree line

Lease is one thing....fields with 20-40 other strangers is another. The birds do not land in the field once...if they are not disturbed after landing and eating they will come back....barring any cold fronts.

Why would anyone shoot at a low bird? This thread has some bizarre comments.

I think it is rude, unethical and dangerous to be hunting in the middle of the fields

It's the guys walking back and forth across the entire field (and in front of everybody else) stirring up birds that piss me off the most.

YEP! If the birds aren't afforded the chance to eat they will go to another buffet.

Exactly

How about the guy that finds your sweet spot and decides to park his arse 20 yards from you, and then follows you after you leave that spot to another one? Or the guy who just throws water bottles up in the air and shoots them while you are trying to hunt. Sometimes I wonder what happened to common courtesy. As to the OP, depending on layout of field I might go maybe 20 yards in to set but no more - depends on sun and water location.

some of these comments are a little "out there"

We had to move out 20 yards or so this weekend. Birds were flying over from behind and shots were extremely difficult. There were 23 of us hunting with an outfitter. Field was big, our group was the only group in it. We separated far enough to feel safe. The concerns came up when a person moved to pick up a downed bird. Had to pay attention. Mostly made sure you fired with barrels pointing up. Now if some cat started driving through the center of a field to rally birds or if someone moved out into the center by himself, putting himself in the line of fire. That would be kinda chicken #%*¥

All the comments remind me why I don't go on group hunt fields anymore, its always a pain worrying about all the other jokers

Its hard to beat the excitement of a group dove hunt where there are enough guns and field coverage to keep the birds flying. The key is to find a good day hunting guide who has firm ground rules about hunting on the perimeter only. They understand you may have to walk in 20-30 yards and turn around if they're coming in overhead behind you and swooping down. Just ask the guide before you book.