Jordan, I agree with Ann. I plant sunflowers about 1/2 inch deep, firm the soil over them. They will also germinate in the full light too, I know that because I have hundreds coming up around where the sunflowers grew last year.
They don't like to be transplanted, they have big roots. But if you are really, really careful, water them really well when you set the transplants in the hole, they will be OK. I have transplanted sunflowers into the gardens from small containers and they will do fine, but the ones that grew in the soil without any kind of transplanting are superior, no question.
You can also find a way to protect the soil from the critters digging up the seeds. Get some kind of netting to put over the soil after sowing the seeds, the critters won't go through the netting, when the plants are up, you can remove this netting. Good luck, you will do just fine. Have a wonderful, beautiful and most awesome day, Cindi