The New Jersey black bear hunt is one step closer to being extended until 2028.

The New Jersey Fish and Game Council approved the plan Wednesday afternoon – despite objections from environmental and animal rights organizations.

Gov. Phil Murphy made it a campaign issue to put a stop to the state bear hunt. The hunt was paused for a time, but Murphy agreed to restart it once the state’s bear population grew too large.

The extended hunt still needs to be approved by the state commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection.