Coloradans are being asked to ban the hunting of mountain lions and the hunting and trapping of endangered lynx and lynx should the animal ever be delisted.

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

The editorial board of the Denver Post has long supported wild officials from the CPW in search of scientifically managed populations and supporting hunting as recreation, food sources, and a tool for population control.

The group that proposed Proposition 127 — known as CATS — 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, the target is the big cats, but we fear what may be targeted next. Bear hunting?

No one hunts moose primarily for the meat, and while fish often survive catch and release, sometimes the stress or injury is too great and they die. Hunting and fishing, even when the primary motivation is not the procurement of meat, is not necessarily unethical.

While most Colorado residents would not participate in a mountain lion hunt or feel comfortable killing a live-trapped bobcat, we do not consider these practices to be out of bounds. Like all outdoor recreation, it impacts wildlife, but CPW’s job is to carefully regulate and manage that balance between hunting and healthy ecosystems, and between fishing Colorado’s rivers and streams and thriving trout populations.

Mountain lion populations in Colorado appear to be thriving. Bobcats are not listed in short supply, although population estimates are difficult to make for the elusive animals, and lynxes are already an endangered species, and hunting and trapping of the animal is not permitted.

However, some shocking revelations came from the CATS campaign. All is not lost just because voters could reject a complete 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 female, which can endanger the lion population and also inadvertently lead to the death of nursing cubs if signs are missed or ignored by hunters. As with deer and elk, CPW should start limiting how many licenses are issued for female lions each year.