Legal Shooting Hours
Sunrise/sunset from your location and date, with an adjustable legal-hours offset — most states use 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, but always confirm with your state's specific rule.
How this works
This calculates true sunrise and sunset for your exact coordinates and date using the same solar-position math used in most sunrise/sunset tables, then applies your chosen offset in minutes on each end. The default of 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset is the most common rule among states, but it is not universal.
Why this varies by state
A handful of states use sunrise-to-sunset with no offset at all, and a few set a different offset for specific seasons or species. Because the legal consequence of being wrong is real, treat this calculator as a fast way to get your local sunrise and sunset times, and confirm the offset itself against your state's current regulations before you're in the field.
Frequently asked questions
Is 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset the rule everywhere?
It's the most common rule among states, but not universal — some states use sunrise-to-sunset with no offset at all, and a few set different offsets for specific seasons or species. Confirm the exact number with your state wildlife agency.
Why do I need to enter my time zone separately from my location?
Latitude and longitude determine when the sun actually rises and sets in absolute terms, but displaying that as a clock time requires knowing which time zone (and UTC offset) you want the result shown in.
Does this account for daylight saving time?
The UTC offset you enter should reflect whichever time your clocks are actually showing on the date in question — enter the DST-adjusted offset (e.g. -4 for EDT) rather than the standard-time offset if daylight saving is in effect.
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