I’ve hunted Merriams in CO, Rio’s in TX and CO, and Easterns in GA, NY, and TX. All we’re pressured birds on public land. My favorite birds to hunt are by far Rio’s. In my experience, Easterns have been the easiest. Merriams have been the most difficult for me because of the terrain they live in and the hoards of people that hunt them on CO public land. I’ve found that the difficulty of the hunt is dependent on how pressured the birds are. If you’re able to put in pre season work, get away from the crowds, and find some unpressured birds, you will be successful.