Do you know what the purple paint law is?

[Sigarms]

Got to be honest, had no clue what that particular law was.

Just wondering how many landowners in the state where such laws exist know about this law?

At the end of the day, it just leaves me scratching my head on exactly how it accomplishes anything when a written sign won't.

 

[Jstpssng]

It's not better or worse than signs, just another way to post your land.

 

[Hay Dude]

I think it’s much better than signs.
Trespassers can’t rip down purple paint and claim ignorance when they are caught. It’s also a lot cheaper than signs and easier to maintain for large landowners
I post land as a service for a few of my elderly landowners and every year, we see signs ripped down and hunting tree stands on the property.
The purple paint law was passed in my state in 2020

 

[Sigarms]

I think it’s much better than signs.
Trespassers can’t rip down purple paint and claim ignorance when they are caught. It’s also a lot cheaper than signs and easier to maintain for large landowners

Don't get me wrong, it actually does make sense, but at the end of the day, is it really going to make a difference?

I've been kind of lucky, I only had issues one time with ATV's on my property in 15 or so years, lets just say they haven't been back since and signs had nothing to do with rectifying the issue.

 

[MossRoad]

Got to be honest, had no clue what that particular law was.

Just wondering how many landowners in the state where such laws exist know about this law?

At the end of the day, it just leaves me scratching my head on exactly how it accomplishes anything when a written sign won't.

A written sign or purple paint don't keep people out. It provides legal notice. That's required in many places as a first step, before you can arrest, prosecute, etc...

 

[Frankenkubota]

We got it in NC. I use it

 

[newbury]

There is this little known internet forum where I first ran across it back in 2011:

Is the property posted? I see you are in Missouri and did a quick Google and found this: Purple paint law
Landowners may post or define the boundaries of their property by marking trees and fence posts with purple paint. In a court of law, a property boundary marked with purple paint is the same as posting "no Trespassing" signs.

Seems fairly clear that you can go nuts with the purple paint.

Having said that, On my 80 acres I have a fairly good idea of where the line is, but couldn't place it exactly other than in proximity to the corners. Lately I have been getting ore aggressive about posting the borders where I have a good idea where they are, especially where trails travers the border. But I tend to place the posted signs a bit back (like 5 yards or so) from where I "believe" the border is so as to not inadvertantly place the sign on the nrighbors land.

Love secsnick's thought about coyote urine. I might try just pissing around the stand myself, but then the deer will just pass out making it far to easy for the hunters to take them.

/edit - In Mississippi ALL land is "NO TRESPASSING" by default.

In the State of Mississippi any person who enters the land of somebody without consent or without being accompanied by the landowner, lessee of the land, or representing agent will be guilty of a misdemeanor or more, depending on intent. For example, if the trespasser enters the land to kill livestock, he or she will be prosecuted for criminal trespass.

 

[Hay Dude]

Don't get me wrong, it actually does make sense, but at the end of the day, is it really going to make a difference?

I've been kind of lucky, I only had issues one time with ATV's on my property in 15 or so years, lets just say they haven't been back since and signs had nothing to do with rectifying the issue.

It might.
Lets say you have signs. Signs can fall or be blown off trees. Purple paint isn’t infallible, but better for enduring natural disasters. It’s also tougher for a trespasser to remove.
The height at which purple paint is applied (5-8’) is perfect for walking through the woods and applying.
Signs usually require one to lug a step ladder, signs, hammer, roofing nails, etc. That’s a lot more difficult than a daypack with paint cans.
Notice is the key to winning trespassing lawsuits. The better the notice, the better the land owners chances are.

 

[Sigarms]

We got it in NC. I use it

Honestly I will be using it as well. Just never knew about it.

 

[Hay Dude]

Honestly I will be using it as well. Just never knew about it.

I did my first property early this year and it was so much easier.
The thing I wonder is different from what you guys brought up.
I think the issue is most trespassers don’t know what purple paint means.
Now I know ignorance is not an excuse for breaking laws, but let’s face it, a lot of trespassing is done by hikers, walkers, etc and they may not know.
Poachers and illegal hunters? Yeah, they know what purple paint means…

 

[Mrsig]

We have it in Florida & I use it with signs too.

 

[fried1765]

Got to be honest, had no clue what that particular law was.

Just wondering how many landowners in the state where such laws exist know about this law?

At the end of the day, it just leaves me scratching my head on exactly how it accomplishes anything when a written sign won't.

"Purple paint law" exists in only ten states!

 

[MossRoad]

Honestly I will be using it as well. Just never knew about it.

Something I learned many years ago here on TBN is that in some states all land is assumed closed unless you have permission, while in other states, all land is assumed open unless it is posted. I just assumed it was the same in every state. It's not.

Indiana adopted the purple paint law a few years ago. I'm thankful, as it saves $$ on signage. Metal signs get shot up. Plastic signs get brittle.... and shot up. Trees with purple paint will last a lot longer.

 

[Hay Dude]

"Purple paint law" exists in only in ten states!

It’ll never exist in some states. Think Woodie Guthrie.

 

[MoKelly]

I’ve used it for a long time.

As has been said, it’s easier and faster than signs.

I use signs on all obvious entry points - but use paint on trails and woods and all river gravel beaches where boats may stop.

We constantly had folks coming in at plowing/planting time to “look for arrowheads”. This was back when we used to plow the fields for planting.

Now - explain to me how anyone can think coming on a plowed and planted field without permission is not considered trespassing? Is it your land? NO. Does someone else own the land? OBVIOUSLY. Do you have permission to be there? NO.

Anyway, we used paint. Another trespasser. Called sheriff and he arrives. Trespasser pleads ignorance - “I didn’t see no sign”! Sheriff points out the purple paint on a tree right next to the boat he used to gain access. “I didn’t know what purple paint means”.

He was cited. I’m convinced only because the paint was there AND it was on a tree right next to the boat.

Now that we have no till planting, trespassers have vanished.

MoKelly

 

[oosik]

If folks come on in - right past NO TRESPASS signs - what do you think a splash of purple paint will do.

However - if it makes you feel more secure - paint away.

 

[PILOON]

LOL, perhaps lawmakers assumed low life's could not read, hence purple paint.

But next some slick lawyer will argue that the shade of purple was not the correct legal one as specified by the law.
Hey pink is part of the purple family.
Would a purple bow and ribbon be legal warning?

 

[2LaneCruzer]

If folks come on in - right past NO TRESPASS signs - what do you think a splash of purple paint will do.

However - if it makes you feel more secure - paint away.

Reminds me of when my buddy and I were out hunting; he drove into this field that had a big "NO HUNTING" sign posted, which he ignored. I said, "Didn't you see that sign?" He said "I don't want to buy any pigs".

 

[Sigarms]

If folks come on in - right past NO TRESPASS signs - what do you think a splash of purple paint will do.

However - if it makes you feel more secure - paint away.

At the end of the day, after coming across this law by accident this morning, you hit the nail on the head per my line of thinking.

That said, this law makes it a lot easier to post notice of "no trespassing" on larger tracts of land vs putting up signs.

Do a lot of shooting on your land, and act crazy from time to time from people who don't know you, and word gets around (however that happens LMAO) and the point is taken better than "no trespassing" signs IMO

 

[Sigarms]

Reminds me of when my buddy and I were out hunting; he drove into this field that had a big "NO HUNTING" sign posted, which he ignored. I said, "Didn't you see that sign?" He said "I don't want to buy any pigs".

I'm sorry, but I'm lost. What does "I don't want to buy any pigs" have to do with a "no hunting" sign when it's apparent you trespassed after reading the sign?

No trespass means it's private property and you are not supposed to go beyond that sign IMO because the person who owns that property does not want you there.