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 5:50 AM to 7:30 PM EDT.

Updated September 2026

Sun altitude · Fri, Sep 11EDT · Game animals

NightTwilightDayLegal window

Now

—

Legal from5:50 AM

Sunrise6:20 AM

Sunset7:00 PM

Legal until7:30 PM

Civil dawn5:51 AM

Civil dusk7:29 PM

Legal day13h 41m

Daylight12h 41m

Sunrise bearing83°

Sunset bearing277°

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 7:30 PM EDT at Boston (7:00 PM sunset plus the after-sunset offset). Set your precise location above for your exact spot.