If you happen to stumble across this secret signal in the woods, you need to get out there as quickly as you can.

Many people are unaware of the purple paint code, but it's something you should familiarize yourself with because you could find yourself in big trouble for ignoring it.

The reason for the law is to allow homeowners to protect their property without the fear of having signs removed or damaged by would-be trespassers. The purple paint marks are easier to maintain and much harder for intruders to hide or tamper with. Currently, there are purple paint laws in effect in Texas, Kansas, Arizona, Montana, Arkansas, Idaho, Florida, Maine, North Carolina, Missouri and Illinois. Like New  York, other states are also considering adding the law to their books.

While the purple paint law is not official in parts of the U.S., stories of other states' success with the law have recently gone viral online. Much like those debunked Instagram postings that supposedly protect you from having your images stolen by others, people who aren't very Internet savvy may believe that purple paint can protect them from defending their property in New York, even though that's not the case.

So, the next time you're alone in the woods and stumble across some purple paint marks, be sure to turn around and leave. Someone could be waiting in a deer stand to "teach you a lesson."

LOOK: What major laws were passed the year you were born?

Data for this list was acquired from trusted online sources and news outlets. Read on to discover what major law was passed the year you were born and learn its name, the vote count (where relevant), and its impact and significance.

Gallery Credit: Katelyn Leboff

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