Do you know what the purple paint law is?

[Torvy]

I get the sense you may be fairly new to owning rural property in Texas. Maybe you aren’t but a refresher might be helpful to cull available legal remedies from wishes.

Here is a link but I like to have a printed copy in my hands. They are relatively inexpensive.

https://agrilife.org/texasaglaw/files/2020/01/Owning-Your-Piece-of-Texas.pdf

They also have an excellent newsletter that you may want to subscribe to. It’s called Ag Law in the Field.

Thanks. Very helpful. I have just enough law background to get myself in trouble.
Most of what I was saying was about the US in general. Texas is more landowner friendly than many states. The issue I have still holds if I read correctly. Trespassing is not a thing if not posted (used broadly to include all state options for same). My only real issue is that we should not have to make someone else aware when they know the land is not theirs.

 

[Jstpssng]

Thanks. Very helpful. I have just enough law background to get myself in trouble.
Most of what I was saying was about the US in general. Texas is more landowner friendly than many states. The issue I have still holds if I read correctly. Trespassing is not a thing if not posted (used broadly to include all state options for same). My only real issue is that we should not have to make someone else aware when they know the land is not theirs.

Some people don't mind respectful use of undeveloped parts of their land.

 

[MoKelly]

Some people don't mind respectful use of undeveloped parts of their land.

Which is exactly why folks should always introduce themselves and ask permission before doing anything on someone else’s property.

Always.

MoKelly

 

[Torvy]

Some people don't mind respectful use of undeveloped parts of their land.

If someone is respectfully using your unposted land and gets hurt, they are not trespassing and your liability is greater. If they use your posted land respectfully, they are trespassing and your liability is less...unless of course you gave them permission. Ultimately, I think the law should be set to the most used status as default. Most landowners do not want unauthorized people using their land. Changing the law allows you to continue to let people use your land, while not requiring the majority to take extra steps to protect theirs.

 

[the old grind]

I'm thinking purple paint across the d'way would be cheaper that a gate with an entry code. I have a few gallons of tint base but might never decide on the right shade of purple. Then one guy is color-blind .. can't see red and everything looks blue to him.

 

[Jstpssng]

If someone is respectfully using your unposted land and gets hurt, they are not trespassing and your liability is greater. If they use your posted land respectfully, they are trespassing and your liability is less...unless of course you gave them permission. Ultimately, I think the law should be set to the most used status as default. Most landowners do not want unauthorized people using their land. Changing the law allows you to continue to let people use your land, while not requiring the majority to take extra steps to protect theirs.

I've pointed this out many times in this thread and others; the liability aspect is mostly BS.
Also, it isn't trespassing if an allowed use.

 

[Oaktree]

Which is exactly why folks should always introduce themselves and ask permission before doing anything on someone else’s property.

And how, pray tell are these people supposed to know who owns a given piece of property? I mostly know who owns what on my road, but beyond that not really.

Or they are the “new people” in the area who really don’t know what country manners are all about.

Tell us about your experiences, which may very.

"Country manners"? As others have noted, customs (and laws) differ from one region to another. As Jstpssng and a couple others have noted, here in the northeast land is considered open unless specifically posted, and at least here in N.H. you can't prohibit foot access if your land is under current use designation (though you can restrict motorized access). Northern New England is about as "country" as it gets.

What I don't get is the mentality some here have that anyone on your land is there for nefarious purposes, and should be greeted with a shotgun.

 

[Jstpssng]

And how, pray tell are these people supposed to know who owns a given piece of property? I mostly know who owns what on my road, but beyond that not really.

"Country manners"? As others have noted, customs (and laws) differ from one region to another. As Jstpssng and a couple others have noted, here in the northeast land is considered open unless specifically posted, and at least here in N.H. you can't prohibit foot access if your land is under current use designation (though you can restrict motorized access). Northern New England is about as "country" as it gets.

What I don't get is the mentality some here have that anyone on your land is there for nefarious purposes, and should be greeted with a shotgun.

Depending on where the land is, you can find out through your town office or the state. They all should have tax maps, which are public information. In areas such as the North Woods in each of our states however, much of it is owned as large tracts of timberland; if there's no buildings or other improved land, what does it matter? I have a map on my computer showing every parcel in our unorganised territories, as well as many organised towns.

One apparent difference between us and more westerly states; whereas here the wildlife is owned by the applicable state, I believe that in some western states it actually belongs to the landowner.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

Some people don't mind respectful use of undeveloped parts of their land.

I don't want anyone on my land, period. I allow one friend to hunt, one deer... one turkey... and he is on a short leash.

 

[Hay Dude]

And how, pray tell are these people supposed to know who owns a given piece of property? I mostly know who owns what on my road, but beyond that not really.

"Country manners"? As others have noted, customs (and laws) differ from one region to another. As Jstpssng and a couple others have noted, here in the northeast land is considered open unless specifically posted, and at least here in N.H. you can't prohibit foot access if your land is under current use designation (though you can restrict motorized access). Northern New England is about as "country" as it gets.

What I don't get is the mentality some here have that anyone on your land is there for nefarious purposes, and should be greeted with a shotgun.

The hail it is….ain’t that way in my part of the Northeast
The only people in the Northeast saying that are the trespassers

I don’t greet them with a shotgun. I greet them with an “I’m on the phone with the police now, I have taken a picture of you on my property, and I intend to file a complaint.“

I don’t get the mentality of anyone who thinks they can just walk on someone else’s land. It’s rude, invasive, and inconsiderate.

Landowners want to live in peace and tranquility and security. I don’t need to see some hippie with his junk hanging out behind my barn takin a leak or looking in my windows.
Screw that!