Fur, ferrets and feathers steal the show

Among the professionals who gave presentations on their jobs at the Yorkshire Game Fair were ferreter and pest controller Simon Whitehead, from Suffolk, who promotes his work all over the country. Mr Whitehead specialises in the traditional management of rabbits, from trapping to the use of ferrets.

He calls ferreting an “environmentally friendly pest control service”.

An advantage of using ferret and net is that the rabbit is “untouched and clean, something which doesn’t happen when the rabbit is halted by 32g of lead”.

He uses the meat to make sausages or burgers and gives the rest to the ferrets or his dogs.

The weekend’s Game Fair, which was staged at Stockeld Park near Wetherby, also featured demonstrations of the lives of the working whippet, provided by members of the UK Working Whippet Club.

Visitors also flocked to see Ben Potter and his birds of prey and Katy Cropper, winner of One Man and his Dog.

Those who like their entertainment fast and furious were treated to horseback riding gymnastics displays by the Galloping Acrobatics.

For shooting enthusiasts there was a chance to step back in time with the Yorkshire Powder Burners, a group of enthusiasts who use black powder guns.

Members can be found shooting in the hills above Skipton and at ranges in Huddersfield.

They go shooting wildfowl, pigeon and pheasant.

Another type of shooting, using air rifles, was just as popular.

Members of the Pontefract Air Rifle Club were on hand to show beginners the basics of the popular hobby.

The Yorkshire Post is a media partner to the Game Fair.