Purple Paint On A Fence Post…Know What it Means in Missouri?

With the 2020 deer season, many hunters will getting into areas across the state to hopefully find that one particular doe or buck. And with this sometimes comes the possibility of getting onto a piece of property with purple paint posted.

As you have you've driven across Missouri for years, whether it be on the interstate, a highway, a blacktop or even a gravel road, maybe you've noticed the purple paint on various fence posts, and even trees. What does it mean?

The Missouri Legislature enacted a Statute pertaining to trespassing during its 1993 legislative session. The Purple Paint Statute (RSMO 569.145), provides for Missouri landowners an alternative means of posting their property. Just like using no trespassing, no entry or keep out signs.

Purple paint markings seem to be most prevalent as landowners want to make their land boundaries obvious to the increasing number of hunters who will be roaming through the woods now and in the weeks ahead. The law was enacted in 1993 as an economical, easy and effective way for landowners to keep out trespassers. It's not a hunting regulation — it's a state statute that applies to trespassing issues at any time of year.

The statute provides that any person trespassing onto property marked by purple paint can be found guilty of a first-degree trespassing charge. Any unauthorized entry onto property marked with the purple paint marks is considered a trespass. First-degree trespassing is a Class B Misdemeanor, with potential punishment of a maximum $500 fine and/or a maximum of 6 months in jail.