I've heard two reasons for the moratorium. First is, as you mentioned, the ethical issue that we would rather kill humanely and not let them die a slow lingering death by starvation. Secondly is the selfish reason that, by leaving them alone during pupping season, we have more to hunt later when they grow up. And true, all predator hunts are depredation hunts, but, and I'm sure you knew this, what I'm talking about is hunting the 'yotes that are specifically targeting domestic animals, cats and dogs, and livestock, sheep, goats, chickens, etc.