Grizzly bear committee to meet in Bozeman Nov. 7, 8

BOZEMAN – The Yellowstone Ecosystem Subcommittee of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee will hold its fall meeting Nov. 7 – 8 in Bozeman, at the Hilton Garden Inn (2023 Commerce Way). The meeting is open to the public.

YES is the multi-agency group responsible for the recovery, delisting and management of the grizzly bear in the Yellowstone Ecosystem. Its membership includes the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service, state wildlife management agencies, Native American tribes and county commissioners.

YES members assist the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team with collection of biological and habitat data, and also work with citizens, communities and local governments to educate the public about living in bear country and create solutions to reduce conflicts with bears.

On the agenda are reports from the member agencies about number and types of conflicts that occurred this year, as well as the annual population status update and discussion of the methods used to arrive at the population estimates. Unlike last year, no grizzly bear caused human fatalities have occurred this year in the Yellowstone Ecosystem or any of the grizzly bear recovery areas in the contiguous states.

Each session will end with an opportunity for public comment. The complete schedule and agenda are available at igbconline.org/YES-fall-2012-final-agenda.pdf.