Legal shooting light in Massachusetts

In short

In Massachusetts, legal shooting light for game animals runs from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. At Boston today that is 6:40 AM to 6:15 PM EDT.

Updated September 2026

Sun altitude · Mon, Oct 26EDT · Game animals

NightTwilightDayLegal window

Now

—

Legal from6:40 AM

Sunrise7:10 AM

Sunset5:45 PM

Legal until6:15 PM

Civil dawn6:41 AM

Civil dusk6:14 PM

Legal day11h 35m

Daylight10h 35m

Sunrise bearing106°

Sunset bearing254°

The Massachusetts ruleCommon rule · confirm with agency

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

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

All states·Massachusetts season dates·Massachusetts regulations

Massachusetts shooting hours, answered

What are the legal shooting hours in Massachusetts?

For game animals, Massachusetts 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 Boston?

Today legal light ends at 6:15 PM EDT at Boston (5:45 PM sunset plus the after-sunset offset). Set your precise location above for your exact spot.