States where purple paint on trees has the same force in law as a no trespassing sign

Wayne

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Staff member
I have seen purple painted on trees in Missouri, but has no idea what it means. Take a look at the Missouri statute.

569.145. Posting of property against trespassers, purple paint used to mark streets and posts, requirements. — In addition to the posting of real property as set forth in section 569.140, the owner or lessee of any real property may post the property by placing identifying purple marks on trees or posts around the area to be posted. Each purple mark shall be:

(1) A vertical line of at least eight inches in length and the bottom of the mark shall be no less than three feet nor more than five feet high. Such marks shall be placed no more than one hundred feet apart and shall be readily visible to any person approaching the property; or

(2) A post capped or otherwise marked on at least its top two inches. The bottom of the cap or mark shall be not less than three feet but not more than five feet six inches high. Posts so marked shall be placed not more than thirty-six feet apart and shall be readily visible to any person approaching the property. Prior to applying a cap or mark which is visible from both sides of a fence shared by different property owners or lessees, all such owners or lessees shall concur in the decision to post their own property.

Posting in such a manner shall be found to be reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders for the purposes of section 569.140.
 
Turns out that purple paint laws are in effect in these states as well: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas
 
You've got to be kidding. Never heard of it and have never seen purple paint anywhere. Glad nobody knows about it.

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Not kidding. In Arizona it must be a vertical mark at least 1 inch wide and 8 inches tall.
 
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Well, how about that. Wonder if my aunt knows about it. They're forever shooing people from their property in PA.

--Edit--

Just talked to my aunt. Guess the rednecks in their area don't exactly know what it means and the Game Wardens want your marks to be exactly like they're supposed to be before they'll enforce it.

They're not anti-hunting BTW, they just have a nice 200 acre chunk that they don't want random idiots wandering around on and their house sits right in the middle of it.
 
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Rednecks in Pennsylvania? Easy there, I resemble that remark! How can this exist and be basically unknown?
 
Rednecks in Pennsylvania? Easy there, I resemble that remark! How can this exist and be basically unknown?
Lol, born and raised in PA. Only difference between the rednecks up there and the ones here in GA are their accents.
 
The purple paint law is newer; 2018 I believe in Indiana.
citation:
IC 35-43-2-2 (c)(4)
 
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