MARQUETTE, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan Court of Claims has upheld a law empowering an appointed panel to allow hunting of wolves.

The state Legislature approved the Scientific Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act last August. It gave the Michigan Natural Resources Commission authority to classify animals as game species. The commission already had given wolves that designation, which led to the state's first authorized wolf hunt in 2013.

The law nullified two citizen votes last fall that would have prevented wolf hunts. A group called Keep Michigan Wolves Protected filed suit, claiming the law is unconstitutional.

In a ruling last week, Court of Claims Judge Mark T. Boonstra disagreed.

The Department of Natural Resources and hunting supporters praised the ruling. The wolf protection group tells The Mining Journal of Marquette it will appeal.