An appeals court panel denied a request Wednesday by hunting groups to immediately overturn New Jersey?s decision to scrap a bear hunt this year.

The bear hunt had been set for December 4 ? 9 before New Jersey?s environmental protection commissioner rejected the state?s black bear management policy and canceled the hunt. That policy included a hunt opposed by Governor Jon Corzine (D-NJ) and environmentalists. The New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen?s Club and other groups had argued the commissioner had no authority to reject the planned hunt.

The ruling Wednesday stated the court rejected the request to quickly overturn the decision because hunting advocates could not demonstrate ?irreparable harm? and because of ?the unsettled nature of the legal issues.? The decision stated the appeal would continue as normal ones do.