Little Gaddesden – January 2026
Hudnall Lane
Following an increasing number of accidents, near misses, injuries and death to deer Cllr Caroline Smith Wright visited the village in January 2026 to investigate the adequacy and improvements needed to highways signage in Hudnall Lane.
New signs have been ordered and the location and visibility of existing signage in Hudnall Lane will be improved.
Road speeds in Hudnall Lane were also reported to be unhelpful given the context of the road, the number of deer crossings, the proximity of the Fourways Crossroads and the road narrowing nearer the Green.
The report from the National Trust (below) also refers to the density of deer located in Hudnall.
Ashridge – National Trust – January 2026
Please see latest update from the National Trust on the deer management across the estate which is an essential part of woodland management and has taken place for well over 50years across the estate.
In November 2021 the approach for managing the deer population across the estate changed from the previous contractor employed to help reduce the large, oversized population of 10 years ago, down to a size that was hoped would enable delicate areas of woodland and wider estate to recover, having been significantly impacted by this large and fast growing population. An oversized population is not good for the diverse habitats across the landscape and not good for the deer competing for food sources.
The previous contractor focused much of the work into just a few months, whereas the contractor since November 2021 was tasked with ‘maintaining’ the deer population and works throughout the year, when legally permitted to do so.
The team previously carried out visual counts and some additional counts using thermal scopes to gain information about the deer population. For the past couple of years, the team have invested in gathering more comprehensive data with counts across the estate carried out by commissioned experts using drones equipped with thermal cameras. This has provided invaluable data of a growing population, which used alongside the habitat impact assessments has helped to inform the deer management requirements.
The drone surveys clearly show where large groups tend to dwell. Several of these areas have required greater attention and Hudnall is one of those identified.
The contractors carrying out this work are highly skilled and are experienced in working across busy ‘open access’ sites. They are qualified DSC2 professionals, in addition we require that they take an annual shooting test and have their weapons inspected by a qualified gunsmith, before their annual licence is issued. These professionals also use thermal scopes to ensure the surrounding area is ‘visible’, clear and safe.
The ‘high seat’ at Hudnall is one of several currently deployed across the estate in areas of high deer density. The seat enables the contractor to work safely above ground, have further enhanced visibility and to take the shot downwards, when safe to do so.
The deer population count in and immediately around Hudnall at the end of November 2025 was more than 150, with over 900 recorded on the estate and more immediately adjacent. A second contractor is currently supporting this deer management work at specific ‘hot spot’ locations across the estate.
More info about the work carried out to support the rejuvenation of the woodlands can be found on our website Deer Management article – Ashridge Estate NT website
The National Trust have experienced poachers over the years, they tend to carry out this activity at night, so any shots heard over night may well be poachers after deer, hares or rabbits – best course of action is to contact the police. This does not happen regularly but we do find evidence more than once per year.
The contractors we use are experienced at this type of work in ‘open access’ places, however there isn’t an actual certificate that relates to this type of work in open access places. We require a very high skill level – DSC2, plus annual shooting tests and weapons inspections which is above & beyond that which is typically required elsewhere; and then issue an annual licence once we have seen all the various documents, insurance etc.
Signage across the estate was deemed appropriate when the previous contractor was reducing numbers and doing so in a relatively short period; now that this regular work takes place throughout the year signage is not deemed appropriate as it is part of woodland management (and we have information on our website to this effect).