The Origins Foundation Podcast

Episode 590 – Rick Bickle | Hunting Ethics in Australia
Date: September 4, 2025
Host: The Origins Foundation (Robbie)
Guest: Rick Bickle, President, Sydney Branch, Australian Deer Association

Episode Overview

In this episode, Robbie sits down with Rick Bickle to explore the multifaceted topic of hunting ethics within the Australian context. The discussion delves into the unique landscape of Australian hunting—including the dominance of non-native, invasive species and the blend of hunting for recreation and necessary population control (culling). Rick shares his personal philosophy, the societal pressures facing hunters in Australia, the impact of technology and social media, and evolving ideas about what constitutes "ethical" hunting.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to Australian Hunting & Rick Bickle's Background

• Australian hunting is almost exclusively of introduced species.
  • Native species (e.g., kangaroos) may only be hunted under special permits, mostly for culling, not for recreation.
  • Kangaroo is abundant but culturally taboo to hunt recreationally (see 06:21).
• Rick’s hunting journey:
  • Learned hunting from his grandfather (rabbits, classic Australian upbringing).
  • Reconnected with hunting through the spearfishing community upon moving to Sydney.
  • Now focuses on education around traditional values and fair chase ethics.
• Quote:

  "It’s something that I don’t class as a hobby. It’s more of a lifestyle. It envelops pretty much every moment of my life..."
  — Rick Bickle [04:55]

2. Access to Land: Public vs. Private & Social Dynamics

• Public Land Hunting:
  • NSW and Victoria allow regulated access (reservation systems, hunter quotas).
  • Other regions have limited or no public hunting (e.g., Queensland, Western Australia).
  • NT provides unique “backcountry” permit opportunities, especially for buffalo [13:23].
• Private Land:
  • Access is increasingly difficult due to issues like poaching and liability.
  • Farmers are often reluctant, citing bad past experiences and insurance issues.
• 'Bad Apple' Problem:
  • A minority of irresponsible hunters ("wife beater on the back of the ute, spotlighting") damages access and reputation for all (17:28).
• Quote:

  "We did ourselves an injustice. And it was hard because, like, I don’t know too many of these people that do that style of hunting or do that to a property..."
  — Rick Bickle [14:57]

3. Cultural and Social Perceptions of Hunting in Australia

• Contrast with New Zealand: NZ embraces hunting as cultural; Australia views hunters more skeptically.
• Public misconception: Hunters viewed as criminals, despite playing a role in controlling invasive species [20:01].
• Quote:

  "It’s like it’s treated as a crime, but it’s been part of our culture for quite some time..."
  — Rick Bickle [20:37]

4. Culling vs. Hunting: Definitions & Ethical Nuances

• Culling: Management activity, often at the behest of landowners, may not involve full utilization of the animal.
  • E.g., landowners expect high numbers removed—even if that means not retrieving all carcasses.
• Hunting (Ethical/Fair Chase): Focuses on skill, respect, and experience—utilizing as much of the animal as possible.
• Quote:

  "For me, ethical hunting comes down to the respect that you have for your quarry and pitting your skills up against that of your quarry..."
  — Rick Bickle [25:20]

5. The Impact of Technology (Thermals, Spotlights, Long-Range)

• Technology introduces a gray area in ethics:
  • Thermals and spotlights may be legal on private land for culling, but are contentious in fair chase hunting.
  • Risks of misuse and safety issues with thermals in public land.
  • Law changes have permitted handheld thermals for recovery but tempt misuse [42:56].
• Long-range shooting:
  • Rick’s approach: prefers close stalks (especially with deer), sees distance shots as less sporting—but doesn't judge others if legal and within their comfort zone [28:38–33:16].
• Quote:

  "It’s not about the shooting, it’s not all about pulling that trigger. It’s about the whole approach..."
  — Rick Bickle [25:20] "As long as you’re truthful about how you’ve hunted that animal and you haven’t fabricated a big story..."
  — Rick Bickle [38:58]

6. Ethics vs. Opinion: Is There a Universal Standard?

• "Ethics" are shown to be deeply personal, evolving, and situational.
• Social media amplifies debates, creates pressure for “instant gratification,” and sometimes warps newcomers’ ideas of success.
• Robbie questions if “ethics” is even the right word when it varies so widely based on background and hunting maturity.
• Quote:

  "Just because you don’t like to do it anymore doesn’t mean somebody else can’t do it."
  — Robbie [38:53]

• Rick stresses the importance of honesty and not inflating stories for social kudos [38:58].

7. Role of Social Media and Industry Pressure

• The drive for content leads to ethical shortcuts for some, but peer pressure and positive examples can set new norms.
• Commercial hunting influencers face pressure to deliver constant results, occasionally leading to dubious practices [53:52].
• The importance of storytelling: not just kill shots, but documenting the hunt and skill involved.
• Quote:

  "We live in a society today that somebody can make a living off of hunting. Now we can set up a whole other podcast about whether or not that’s ethical."
  — Robbie [53:52]

8. Education as the Path Forward

• No single solution; ongoing education around ethical hunting, respect for quarry, and honesty is Rick’s answer.
• Rick preps new hunters with a personal presentation on ethics and fair chase, but supports their chosen legal methods.
• Encourages evolution: hunters may start with easier methods, but often “mature” into a deeper appreciation for the chase and challenge [35:45–36:15, 40:10–41:40].
• Quote:

  "It’s all what you feel is being ethical and what you’re taking away from the hunt. If you can sit back at home, have that trophy on the wall and go, I put on a great hunt...that’s what I believe is the ethical side..."
  — Rick Bickle [57:28]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [04:55] Rick: "It’s more of a lifestyle...if I’m not thinking about my family or my work, I’m thinking about hunting."
• [14:57] Rick: "We did ourselves an injustice...it’s hard because...I don’t know too many of these people that do that style of hunting."
• [17:47] Robbie: "Australia has a specific bad apple...the wife beater on the back of the ute, spotlighting..."
• [20:37] Rick: "It’s like it’s treated as a crime, but it’s been part of our culture..."
• [25:20] Rick: "For me, ethical hunting comes down to the respect that you have for your quarry and pitting your skills up against that of your quarry."
• [33:16] Rick: "I’m not here to judge...I will always push the narrative that for me, for ethical hunting, for my own personal morals, that's not a shot for me."
• [38:58] Rick: "As long as you’re truthful about how you’ve hunted that animal and you haven’t fabricated a big story..."
• [53:52] Robbie: "We live in a society today that somebody can make a living off of hunting. Now...whether or not that's ethical..."
• [57:28] Rick: "Final thoughts...it's all what you feel is being ethical and what you’re taking away from the hunt. If you can sit back at home, have that trophy on the wall and go, I put on a great hunt...that’s what I believe is the ethical side..."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Australian hunting landscape, Rick’s background: [04:55]–[06:40]
• Hunting on public vs private land, access issues: [11:56]–[17:47]
• Culling vs hunting, ethical complexities: [19:41]–[25:12]
• Role of technology in ethics, thermals, spotlighting: [28:38]–[46:51]
• Social media’s impact on ethics & new hunters: [33:55]–[40:10], [49:01]–[53:52]
• Personal evolution of hunting philosophy: [35:45]–[38:58]
• Education and the future of hunting ethics: [40:10]–[50:25]
• Concluding thoughts on personal ethical standards: [57:28]–[58:56]

Takeaway

This episode provides a rare, in-depth look at the clashing realities, ongoing debates, and deep values underpinning hunting in Australia. Rick Bickle advocates for respect, honesty, and personal evolution in ethical hunting, while Robbie challenges audiences to question what “ethics” really means—both agreeing that education and transparency are the way forward in a changing world.