Iowa took a severe hit in CRP lands when corn prices spiked a few years back. This affected bird numbers greatly and Iowa nearly dropped off the map for bird harvest. It is still better tha PA for wild birds but it is a lot tougher than in the past. This is true with all the Plains States as CRP enrollment dropped, the birds dwindled correspondingly. Poor weather hasn't helped either and it is even more of a problem with less cover.
I used to pick up an Iowa license every year but I stopped when the cover disappeared and the hunting is no different than MN. We used to regularly find bobwhites or Huns depending where we went but they are few and far between at best.
I believe Iowa's license still runs for a calendar year rather than for the season so if your hunt dates span New Years you will need to buy two licenses though I think there may be a discounted license available for those hunting close to season's end.
