If You See Purple Paint In Kansas, Turn Around and Leave

With hunting season slowly coming upon us and bringing cooler weather, you may find yourself hunting, hiking, walking, or running out in nature. It's always fun to make your own path in those unique areas.

While you're enjoying the beauty that Kansas has to offer, 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 the place of a warning sign that you should know so you don't end up in legal trouble. Fourteen states have laws regarding purple paint, including Iowa and Kansas.

According to Kansas Law

According to the current laws in Kansas, these markings on trees and fence posts are a more discreet and nicer-looking way of marking property lines.

"Any landowner or person in lawful possession of any land may post such land with signs stating that hunting, trapping or fishing on such land shall be by written permission only. It is unlawful for any person to take wildlife on land which is posted as provided in this subsection, without having in the person's possession the written permission of the owner or person in lawful possession thereof."

 

According to Kansas Legislature

Kansas has also adopted these purple paint laws, to make sure hunters and hikers know the difference between public land and private land.

"... any landowner or person in lawful possession of any land may post such land by placing identifying purple paint marks on trees or posts around the area to be posted."

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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 shall be 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 paint marks shall be readily visible to any person approaching the land."

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