ST. PAUL — Lawyers for opponents of Minnesota’s wolf hunt argue the state didn’t adequately consider public concerns before the first managed hunt was established.

The state Court of Appeals is hearing arguments from two wolf advocacy groups that say the Department of Natural Resources violated its own rules last year when it failed to hold public hearings on the proposed hunt.

An attorney for the DNR says the agency got a clear message from the Legislature that a wolf hunt was needed in 2012 when the animal was removed from the federal endangered species list.

The Legislature passed a bill that set up two hunts.

DNR officials say the public had an opportunity to comment during the legislative process.