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A typical day

In field season: out before dawn to run a survey route or check traps, back by early afternoon, then hours entering data and cleaning gear. Out of season: a desk, a spreadsheet, a statistical model, a management plan to write, and a public meeting where somebody is angry about hunting quotas. The ratio surprises people. Most of a wildlife biologist's year is data, permits, writing and meetings, with concentrated bursts of genuinely wonderful field work.