What to Know About Indiana’s Purple Paint Law Before Hunting Season Begins

If you see purple paint on trees in Indiana, they aren't for decoration. That purple paint means that you need to leave immediately.

As the weather starts to cool off, and the leaves begin to change, many people start to think about being in the woods again. After the heat and humidity, and bugs, are gone, there is something special about the woods in the fall. That's especially true for hunters. I have never been much of a hunter, but my friends are avid deer hunters. I know that this is the time of year when they are gearing up for that big buck that they never can seem to get. You might know everything there is to know when it comes to hunting, but there are still some out there who don't abide by the rules. Deer hunting season in Indiana kicks off very soon, so consider this a heads-up before you wonder out into the woods.

What I am about to talk about isn't just something that hunters need to be aware of, it's something that everyone who lives in Indiana should know. Now, many in Indiana have seen purple paint on trees over the years. Some are aware of what that paint represents, others either don't know or just completely look past it. However, that purple paint is a warning that has been in place since 2018.

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Indiana's Purple Paint Law Means Leave NOW!

One of the most frustrating things for any property owner is when you discover that someone has been on, or used your property without permission. That is when it is time to consider posting the land you own. Sure, you can post no trespassing signs throughout your property, however, as you know these signs can be a bit of a headache as they can get torn down, vandalized, or rendered unreadable by the elements. That's where Indiana's purple paint law comes into play.

According to Purdue, these are the guidelines for applying the paint marks to indicate a No Trespassing area.

1.  Each purple mark must be readily visible to any person approaching the property and must be placed on:
   •  a tree:
     • as a vertical line of at least eight (8) inches in length and with the bottom of the mark at least three (3) feet and not more than five (5) feet from the ground; and
     • not more than one hundred (100) feet from the nearest other marked tree; or
   •  a post:
     • with the mark covering at least the top two (2) inches of the post, and with the bottom or the mark at least (3) feet and not more than five (5) feet six (6) inches from the ground; and
     • not more than thirty-six (36) feet from the nearest other marked post; and
2.  Before a purple mark that would be visible from both sides of a fence shared by different property owners or lessees may be applied, all of the owners or lessees of the properties must agree to post the properties with purple marks under subsection (c)(4).

Why Purple?

Why purple? The color was likely chosen to avoid confusion with other colors commonly used for marking underground utilities and surveying. Red is the uniform color for electric power lines; orange for communications; yellow for gas, oil and steam; green for sewers and drain lines; and blue for water. White is used for proposed excavation limits or routes, and pink is used for temporary survey markings. So, purple is essentially universal for no trespassing for most states.

What Happens if You Disregard Purple Paint in Indiana?

In most cases, this will constitute a Class A misdemeanor but can be a Class D felony depending on where the trespassing occurs and whether there have been previous convictions. That misdemeanor could be punishable by up to one year of imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000. So it's certainly a wise decision to turn around and do not proceed past the purple paint markings in the woods.