Ann, I've been collecting sunflower seeds the last week or so myself. I am a total novice so anything you read from me should be seen as regurgitated information from google, and we all know everything you read on the Internet is true!

I don't have any trouble seperating the seed. If you have a alot of problems with that, maybe you collected them too soon? The should come pouring out when you mess with the seed head, if not just rip the silly things open and dump the seeds out. Since the seeds are kind of nutty, I am going to let mine dry indoors for a full 2 weeks. I also got some little silica bags today to put with them for storage. My big problem is a lot of my seeds have a big infestation that isn't noticable until the seeds get smashed (see my other post a day ago or so about that)