BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) – Montana wildlife officials are hosting an Oct. 9 discussion on bison conservation in Great Falls.

The day-long event at the Holiday Inn will mark the third meeting of an advisory group considering alternatives for creating new herds of bison outside Yellowstone National Park.

The group includes representatives of conservation and agriculture, state and federal agencies, local officials and state lawmakers.

Alternatives discussed at prior meetings ranged from a pilot project of about 100 bison on public land, to a 1,000-animal herd on tribal or private land.

A strategy for managing bison in Montana has been in the works since 2010. But it’s been delayed in large part over concerns about bison spreading disease or competing with cattle for grazing space.