NJ Bear Hunt Ruling Saves 80 Years of Hunting, Fishing Rules (1)

New Jersey’s bear hunt—and roughly 80 years of state agency rules to regulating hunting and fishing—was upheld by a state appeals court Thursday in a blow to conservationists.

The structure of the New Jersey Fish & Game Council doesn’t violate the New Jersey Constitution, even though a private hunting group recommends a majority of the council’s members. Despite the role of the private New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, it wasn’t unlawful for the Legislature to delegate its rulemaking power this way, the New Jersey Superior Court Appellate Division ruled.

“Appellants argue the Legislature abdicated its regulatory authority ...