"This year the statewide index is 11.1 birds/route and sets a new all time low count for Iowa, besting the previous low (13.9 birds/route) set following the severe winter of 2000 (Tables 2 & 3)."
Not cool, but if you do your homework and go out at the right times, you will be fine. A good dog always helps too...hope my first year pup is ready. She hasnt even seen a wild pheasant yet...should be interesting.