Coloradans are being urged to ban the hunting of mountain lions and the hunting and trapping of bobcats and the endangered lynx if the animal is ever delisted.

A “no” vote on Proposition 127 will allow hunting and trapping to continue under the careful regulation and scientific oversight of Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

The Denver Post editorial board has long supported CPW wildlife officers in their pursuit of scientifically managed populations and supported hunting as a recreational activity, food source and population control tool.

The group that proposed Proposition 127 — known as CATS — has focused its campaign on arguing that trophy hunting, or sport hunting, is inherently unethical and should be banned in a state known for its recreational hunting opportunities . For now, big cats are the target, but we fear what might be targeted next. Bear hunting?

No one hunts elk primarily for meat, and although fish often survive capture and release, sometimes the stress or injury is too great and they die. Hunting and fishing are not necessarily unethical, even if the primary motivation is not to obtain meat.

While most Coloradans would not participate in a mountain lion hunt or would not feel comfortable killing a bobcat caught in a live trap, we do not believe these practices are excessive. Like all outdoor recreation, it impacts wildlife, but CPW's mission is to carefully regulate and manage the balance between hunting and healthy ecosystems, and between fishing in Colorado's rivers and streams and thriving trout populations.

Colorado's mountain lion populations appear to be thriving. Bobcats are not included in the scarce list, although it is difficult to estimate the population of the elusive animal, and bobcats are already an endangered species and hunting and trapping of the animal is not permitted.

However, the CATS campaign brought some shocking revelations. All is not lost just because voters might reject a total ban on hunting in a state known for recreational hunting.

First, mountain lion hunters kill too many female lions. About half of the 500 lions killed last year were females, which can threaten the lion population and also inadvertently lead to the death of nursing kittens if hunters miss or ignore signs. As with deer and elk, CPW should begin limiting the number of licenses issued to female lions each year.