Ignoring Purple Paint on a Fence Post or Tree Could Land You in Jail In Texas

Fall has arrived in Texas and so has Dove hunting season and as we go forward hunting season just continues. That means a lot of Texans are spending more time outdoors. That also means you could come across purple paint as you are out hunting or just walking around the great outdoors. But what does purple paint, normally on a fence post or tree mean? And what happens if you just ignore it?

The Meaning Behind Purple Paint on a Fence Post or Tree in Texas

I live just outside the City of Lubbock and the other day I was driving around and saw a fence post that had been coated just recently with purple paint. Where I live, people like to go hunting for dove and there are still large areas of land to go hunting on.

If you've ever come across a fence post or tree with purple paint you should know it's an actual legal warning sign in Texas, and it has been since 1997 when the Purple Paint Law was passed. The splash of purple paint is a legal warning sign meaning, "No Trespassing".

READ MORE: Recent Texas Hunting Accidents

Several other states have similar laws. The paint is meant to act as a warning sign to those who are hunting, hiking, fishing, that they need to leave the area. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, ignoring the purple paint could land you in jail.

Notice" means: an oral or written communication by the owner or someone with apparent authority to act for the owner; or fencing or other enclosure obviously designed to exclude intruders or to contain livestock; or a sign or signs posted on the property reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders, indicating that entry is forbidden; or the placement of identifying purple paint marks on trees or posts on the property. If purple paint is used, then the purple paint must be vertical lines of not less than eight inches in length and not less than one inch in width; placed so that the bottom of the mark is not less than three feet from the ground or more than five feet from the ground; and placed at locations that are readily visible to any person approaching the property and no more than: 100 feet apart on forest land or 1,000 feet apart on land other than forest land.

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What Happens If You Ignore the Purple Paint in Texas?

If you ignore the paint and trespass on someone's land in Texas, it probably won't end well for you. Ignoring the paint could result in a Class B misdemeanor which could land you in jail for 180 days or a fine up to $2000.

Best thing to do if you come across a tree or fence post with purple paint? Just turn around.