Hunting News

If it has purple paint, it’s posted

If it has purple paint, it’s posted

By West Virginia Division of Natural Resources

Beginning this year, hunters are reminded posted lands include properties with boundaries clearly marked with purple paint.

According to West Virginia state code, “It is unlawful for any person to shoot, hunt, fish or trap upon the fenced, enclosed or posted lands of another person; or to peel trees or timber, build fires or do any other act in connection with shooting, hunting, fishing or trapping on the lands without written permission in his or her possession from the owner, tenant or agent of the owner.

Purple marks must be a single vertical line at least 8 inches in length, at least 2 inches in width, and be between 3 to 6 feet above the ground. The marks should be no more than 100 feet apart and easily seen by any person approaching the property boundary.

Hunters should always get written landowner permission before entering private property.

“It is important to remember that once you have obtained permission, you are an invited guest and you should always respect the rights and property of the landowner,” said Paul Johansen, chief of the DNR Wildlife Resources Section. “A little respect and a simple ‘thank you’ will go a long way in obtaining permission to hunt there for years to come.”

Although 90 percent of West Virginia is owned by private landowners, more than 1.4 million acres of public land is open to hunting.

Hunters who need help locating a place to hunt can contact any DNR district office or locate areas, state forests and national forests that open to public hunting online at www.wvdnr.gov.

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