Legal shooting light in North Dakota

In short

In North Dakota, legal shooting light for game animals runs from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. At Bismarck today that is 6:45 AM to 8:32 PM CDT.

Updated September 2026

Sun altitude · Fri, Sep 11CDT · Game animals

NightTwilightDayLegal window

Now

—

Legal from6:45 AM

Sunrise7:15 AM

Sunset8:02 PM

Legal until8:32 PM

Civil dawn6:45 AM

Civil dusk8:33 PM

Legal day13h 47m

Daylight12h 47m

Sunrise bearing83°

Sunset bearing277°

The North Dakota ruleCommon rule · confirm with agency

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

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

All states·North Dakota season dates·North Dakota regulations

North Dakota shooting hours, answered

What are the legal shooting hours in North Dakota?

For game animals, North Dakota 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 Bismarck?

Today legal light ends at 8:32 PM CDT at Bismarck (8:02 PM sunset plus the after-sunset offset). Set your precise location above for your exact spot.