Legal shooting light in Montana

In short

In Montana, legal shooting light for game animals runs from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. At Helena today that is 7:30 AM to 6:53 PM MDT.

Updated September 2026

Sun altitude · Sun, Oct 25MDT · Game animals

NightTwilightDayLegal window

Now

—

Legal from7:30 AM

Sunrise8:00 AM

Sunset6:23 PM

Legal until6:53 PM

Civil dawn7:29 AM

Civil dusk6:54 PM

Legal day11h 23m

Daylight10h 23m

Sunrise bearing107°

Sunset bearing253°

The Montana ruleCommon rule · confirm with agency

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

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

All states·Montana season dates·Montana regulations

Montana shooting hours, answered

What are the legal shooting hours in Montana?

For game animals, Montana 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 Helena?

Today legal light ends at 6:53 PM MDT at Helena (6:23 PM sunset plus the after-sunset offset). Set your precise location above for your exact spot.