CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With the weather cooling down, hunting season in North Carolina is gearing up, but are there certain markings you need to keep an eye out for when you’re out in the woods?
A social media post going around says people walking around in wooded areas should be on the lookout for purple paint marked on trees.
QUESTION
Does purple paint marked on a tree mean no trespassing?
ANSWER
Yes, purple paint on a tree or post does indicate private property. It signifies no trespassing for outsiders who are hunting or fishing.
SOURCES
WHAT WE FOUND
Jones said the purple paint is authorized by the North Carolina Landowner Protection Act, which allows property owners to protect their land from people hunting, fishing and trapping without their permission.
According to North Carolina code, the owner of private property may signify its boundaries by marking the area with a sign or poster no less than 120 square inches and must be posted in visible areas. The code says the owner can also mark their property with identifying purple marks on trees or on posts around the area.
Like the sign, the purple markings must be easily visible to passers-by.
"The purple paint does not regulate someone just walking their dog and doesn't cover general trespass, like opposed to a sign or notice," Jones said.
Mauney said knowingly entering someone’s private property could be classified as a crime, second-degree trespassing.
“If you see those and they say, no trespassing, and you go on the property anyway, then you can be arrested for a misdemeanor," Mauney said.
Jones said if you see any purple markings or “no trespassing” signs while out hunting or fishing, the best case scenario would be to get written permission from the homeowner that says you are allowed to be on their property.
"I would not trespass on that property, even though you're not hunting, fishing or trapping," Jones said.
The Landowner Protection Act regulations are clearly outlined in the NC Wildlife Hunting and Fishing Regulations Digest which you can read online for free.
But Jones said for the average Joe walking around in the woods? The purple paint is not enough to indicate the person is in violation.
Mauney said homeowners who want to signify their property boundaries should always have a sign that clearly says "no trespassing."
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"I would suggest to anyone that is looking to just use the purple paint, then you're likely to get someone saying, "I had no idea what the purple paint meant. That was not a clear sign,'" Mauney explained.
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