Tools/Legal light/Iowa

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 6:20 AM to 8:00 PM CDT.

Updated September 2026
Sun altitude · Fri, Sep 11CDT · Game animals
HORIZON30°12 AM3 AM6 AM9 AMNOON3 PM6 PM9 PM12 AMLEGAL 6:20 AMENDS 8:00 PMSUNRISE 6:50 AMSUNSET 7:30 PM
NightTwilightDayLegal window
Now
—
 
Legal from6:20 AM
Sunrise6:50 AM
Sunset7:30 PM
Legal until8:00 PM
Civil dawn6:22 AM
Civil dusk7:58 PM
Legal day13h 40m
Daylight12h 40m
NESW
Sunrise bearing83°
Sunset bearing276°
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 8:00 PM CDT at Des Moines (7:30 PM sunset plus the after-sunset offset). Set your precise location above for your exact spot.