That would not be correct.
The purple paint marking is found in TCA 39-14-405: (2) Places identifying purple paint marks on trees or posts on the property; provided, that at least one (1) sign is posted at a major point of ingress to the property in a manner that is reasonably likely to come to the attention of a person entering the property and that the sign includes language describing that the use of purple paint signifies "no trespassing." If purple paint is used, then purple paint must be vertical lines of not less than eight inches (8") in length and not less than one inch (1") in width; placed so that the bottom of the mark is not less than three feet (3') or more than five feet (5') from the ground; and placed at locations that are reasonably likely to come to the attention of a person entering the property.
It deals with signage needed to prevent a legal defense to criminal trespass.
The hunting without a landowners permission statute is TCA 70-4-106:
70-4-106. Permission of owner of land to take wildlife or big game required -- Penalty for violations.
(a) (1) It is unlawful for any person to hunt, take, chase, trap or kill any wild animal, wild bird, wild fowl or fish, upon the land of another without having first obtained the permission or approval of the owners of the land, or of the person or persons in charge of the land and having authority from the owner to give such permission.
(2) A violation of this subsection (a) is a Class C misdemeanor. Upon conviction for any violation of this subsection (a), the court may revoke the license of the person so convicted. Any license so revoked shall be surrendered to the court and transmitted to the arresting officer, to be made a part of the prosecution record.
(b) (1) (A) Notwithstanding subsection (a), it is unlawful for any person to hunt, take, chase, trap or kill any game as defined in ง 70-1-101 upon lands posted with signs approved by the wildlife resources agency bearing the language "Hunting By Written Permission Only" and bearing the name of the landowner or the person in possession or control of such lands, without having first obtained the written permission of or being accompanied by the landowner or the person in possession or control of such lands and having authority from the owner to give such permission. Every person who hunts, takes, chases, traps or kills any game on such lands shall have such written permission in immediate possession at all times and shall display the same upon demand of an officer of the wildlife resources agency, sheriff or other peace officer charged with the enforcement of the laws of this state. Written permission shall not be required of the landowner, the landowner's dependents, the person in possession or control of such lands, or the dependents of the person in possession or control of such lands.
(B) The signs posted pursuant to this subsection (b) must be posted by either of the following methods:
(i) The signs must be visible at all major points of ingress of the lands being posted, in such manner that the signs are reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders; or
(ii) The signs must be visible at all major points of ingress and must be accompanied by fluorescent visual markings, which markings must also be placed at fifty-yard (50 yd) intervals around the perimeter of the lands being posted. Such fluorescent visual markings must be at least one inch (1") wide and four inches (4") long. The division of forestry, in cooperation with the department of agriculture and the wildlife resources agency, shall determine a unique universal paint color or colors, including the color blue, to be used for these property boundary markings.
(C) Any person who posts signs pursuant to this subsection (b) without authorization from the landowner is subject to the penalties imposed by subdivision (b)(2).
(2) (A) A violation of this subsection (b) is a Class C misdemeanor. Upon conviction for any violation of this subsection (b), the court may revoke the license of the person convicted. Any license so revoked shall be surrendered to the court.
(B) This subsection (b) is enforceable and may be prosecuted by all officers of the wildlife resources agency, sheriffs and other peace officers charged with the enforcement of the laws of this state.
(C) An affidavit from the landowner or the person in possession or control of such lands stating that the property on which the violation occurred was properly posted in accordance with this section shall create an inference that such lands were properly posted.
HISTORY: Acts 1951, ch. 115, ง 51 (Williams, ง 5178.80); T.C.A. (orig. ed.), ง 51-407; Acts 1988, ch. 542, งง 1, 2; 1989, ch. 569, งง 1, 2; 1989, ch. 591, ง 113; 1995, ch. 145, ง 1; 2004, ch. 748, ง 1; 2010, ch. 1143, ง 1.
There is nothing in this statute that requires ANY signage before a person has to have the landowners permission to hunt.
Included in TCA 70-4-106, there is a subsection that deals specifically with Hunting by Written Permission Only. In that subsection, there are requirements for the posting of specific signage dealing with the written permission. Those signs can be supplemented by paint markings that have different requirements than the Title 39 purple paint markings. The Commission adopted blue paint many years ago as the color for those markings. With the new Title 39 law with the purple paint, they might revisit that color choice at some point.
Again, there are zero requirements to have any signage or paint markings before a person has to have the landowners permission to hunt. Only if the landowner is wanting to require hunting by written permission only does the signage and blue paint marking come into play.
