If You See Purple Paint In Virginia, West Virginia, Or Kentucky, Turn Around Immediately

With fall upon us, everyone's gearing up for hunting season, hiking season, and leaves changing. While you're out exploring the wilderness, there's some things you should keep an eye out for, just to make sure you're not putting yourself in a dangerous or unlawful situation.

While you're enjoying those natural beauties, you may come across trees marked with purple paint. It's important that you know what this means, and why you should turn around immediately.

Are These Markings Even Important?

The short answer is yes. These markings are able to take place of a warning sign that you should know so you don't end up in legal trouble. Both North Carolina and Virginia have laws with purple paint, so pay attention if you live on the border.

Virginia Courts Say

According to Code of Virginia 18.2-134.1 which outlines the state's laws when it comes to trespassing on private property,

A. The owner or lessee of property described in § 18.2-134 may post property by (i) placing signs prohibiting hunting, fishing or trapping where they may reasonably be seen; or (ii) placing identifying paint marks on trees or posts at each road entrance and adjacent to public roadways and public waterways adjoining the property. Each paint mark shall be a vertical line of at least two inches in width and at least eight inches in length and the center of the mark shall be no less than three feet nor more than six feet from the ground or normal water surface. Such paint marks shall be readily visible to any person approaching the property.

B. The type and color of the paint to be used for posting shall be prescribed by the Department of Wildlife Resources.

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Purple paint is able to be used as an alternative to signage to show property lines and private land posting.

There are some rules to how the paint is hung, however.

Each paint mark must be a vertical line of at least eight inches in length, and the bottom of the mark shall be no less than three feet or more than five feet from the base of the tree or post.

Stay safe out there, and stay vigilant so you stay where you're supposed to stay.

West Virginia Follows Closely

West Virginia has a similar law to Virginia.

§20-2-8 of the West Virginia code spells it all out:

The owner, lessee or other person entitled to possession of unenclosed lands may have erected and maintained signs or placards legibly printed, easily discernible, conspicuously posted and reasonably spaced, so as to indicate the territory in which hunting, trapping or fishing is prohibited. As an alternative to the placement of signs or placards, the unenclosed lands may be posted for the purpose of prohibiting hunting, trapping or fishing by the placement of identifying purple paint marks on trees or posts on the property. At a minimum, the marks shall be:
(1) Vertical lines of not less than twelve inches in length and three inches in width;
(2) Placed so that the bottom of the mark is not less than three feet from the ground or more than six feet from the ground; and
(3) Placed not more than five hundred feet apart in locations that are readily visible to any person approaching the property.

Kentucky Has Their Own Rule Too

Kentucky spells out their laws, beginning with explaining that knowingly trespassing is immediately considered a second degree trespass violation.

They lay out the rules so you know whether or not you're within the correct bounds to press charges on someone.

(2) For the purposes of this section, notice against trespass includes the placement of identifying purple paint marks on trees or posts on the property, if the marks are:

(a) Vertical lines of not less than eight (8) inches in length and not less than one (1) inch in width;

(b) Placed so that the bottom of the mark is not less than three (3) feet from the ground nor more than five (5) feet from the ground; and

(c) Placed at locations that are readily visible to any person approaching the property and no more than:

1. One hundred (100) feet apart on forest land; or

2. One thousand (1,000) feet apart on land other than forest land.