Legal shooting light in Iowa

In short

In Iowa, legal shooting light for game animals runs from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. At Des Moines today that is 7:08 AM to 6:48 PM CDT.

Updated September 2026

Sun altitude · Sun, Oct 25CDT · Game animals

NightTwilightDayLegal window

Now

—

Legal from7:08 AM

Sunrise7:38 AM

Sunset6:18 PM

Legal until6:48 PM

Civil dawn7:09 AM

Civil dusk6:46 PM

Legal day11h 40m

Daylight10h 40m

Sunrise bearing106°

Sunset bearing254°

The Iowa ruleCommon rule · confirm with agency

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

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

All states·Iowa season dates·Iowa regulations

Iowa shooting hours, answered

What are the legal shooting hours in Iowa?

For game animals, Iowa 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 Des Moines?

Today legal light ends at 6:48 PM CDT at Des Moines (6:18 PM sunset plus the after-sunset offset). Set your precise location above for your exact spot.