Legal shooting light in Illinois

In short

In Illinois, legal shooting light for game animals runs from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. At Springfield today that is 6:49 AM to 6:35 PM CDT.

Updated September 2026

Sun altitude · Sun, Oct 25CDT · Game animals

NightTwilightDayLegal window

Now

—

Legal from6:49 AM

Sunrise7:19 AM

Sunset6:05 PM

Legal until6:35 PM

Civil dawn6:52 AM

Civil dusk6:32 PM

Legal day11h 45m

Daylight10h 45m

Sunrise bearing105°

Sunset bearing255°

The Illinois ruleCommon rule · confirm with agency

Game animals & non-migratory birdsone-half hour before sunrise → one-half hour after sunset

Confirm with: Illinois wildlife agency. Sun times computed with astronomy-engine (USNO convention: upper limb, refraction).

All states·Illinois season dates·Illinois regulations

Illinois shooting hours, answered

What are the legal shooting hours in Illinois?

For game animals, Illinois allows hunting from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. This is the common rule; confirm the exact wording with the state agency.

When does legal light end today at Springfield?

Today legal light ends at 6:35 PM CDT at Springfield (6:05 PM sunset plus the after-sunset offset). Set your precise location above for your exact spot.