BEWARE: You Could Go To Jail In Texas For Ignoring Purple Paint on Trees Or Fence Posts

In Texas, many of us like to spend time outdoors. Whether it's for hunting, fishing, hiking, or just exploring, there are plenty of places to see and plenty of land to go hunting on. But you better be careful and make sure you aren't on someone's private land without permission. And in Texas, along with many other states, there are some signs you need to know about when it comes to trespassing.

And when it comes to trespassing signs, not all of them are as obvious as "No Trespassing".

What Does Purple Paint On a Tree or Fence Post Mean?

Have you ever gone for a long drive or even out walking around in a more rural area and instead of a constant fence, you've come across a fence post or even a tree trunk with purple paint on it?

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While at first glance you may think nothing of it, but you shouldn't. That splash of paint is actually a 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".

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.

What Is The Punishment For Ignoring Purple Paint On Trees or Fence Posts in Texas?

Ignoring the paint is trespassing in Texas and that could result in a Class B misdemeanor which could land you in jail for 180 days or a fine up to $2000. Also, don't forget we are talking about someone's private land. Land that in some cases is being used for hunting. You don't want to end up in a bad spot.

So if you see purple paint, just turn around and leave.