re: Legal way to create open water in rice field?

If it’s second crop, does the farmer plan on harvesting it? If so just wait till it’s cut then buffalo or plow the entire cut and flood it. If he doesn’t plan on harvesting it, then I would consult wildlife and fisheries because it might be considered natural vegetation under the law if the first crop was harvested initially, but good luck getting a straight answer.
I think buffaloing rice stubble is a standard agricultural practice but being the rice is headed out, it could be considered baiting and I think the actual baiting law is setup to leave it up to the wardens discretion if you get checked.