Most states in the U.S. set legal hunting hours to end about 30 minutes after official sunset for big game and many other species, but there are important exceptions by state and by species (for example, some small game or migratory birds end at sunset, while some furbearers or coyotes can be hunted at night under special rules).

General rule of thumb

• A very common regulation is legal shooting from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset for big game such as deer and bear.

• Some jurisdictions specify “until sunset” (no extra 30 minutes) for certain game birds or small game, so assuming the extra 30 minutes can get a hunter cited.

Exceptions and night hunting

• Night hunting for species like coyote, raccoon, or certain furbearers is sometimes allowed, often starting 30 minutes after sunset and running through the night, but usually with strict rules on lights, weapons, and seasons.

• Other places ban night hunting entirely for big game and presume you are illegally hunting at night if you are out with a firearm and a light well after sunset.

What you should do

• Check your own state or provincial hunting regulations for “legal shooting hours” and for the specific species and season you are hunting, because the exact cutoff can differ by minutes, by county/zone, and by game type.

• Use the official sunrise/sunset or hunting-hours table provided by your wildlife agency (often in the regulations booklet or on their website) rather than relying on a phone weather app, since enforcement follows the official table.