Tools/Legal light/South Dakota

Legal shooting light in South Dakota

In short

In South Dakota, legal shooting light for game animals runs from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. At Pierre today that is 7:40 AM to 7:09 PM CDT.

Updated September 2026
Sun altitude · Mon, Oct 26CDT · Game animals
HORIZON30°12 AM3 AM6 AM9 AMNOON3 PM6 PM9 PM12 AMLEGAL 7:40 AMENDS 7:09 PMSUNRISE 8:10 AMSUNSET 6:39 PM
NightTwilightDayLegal window
Now
—
 
Legal from7:40 AM
Sunrise8:10 AM
Sunset6:39 PM
Legal until7:09 PM
Civil dawn7:40 AM
Civil dusk7:09 PM
Legal day11h 28m
Daylight10h 28m
NESW
Sunrise bearing107°
Sunset bearing253°
The South Dakota ruleCommon rule · confirm with agency
Game animals & non-migratory birdsone-half hour before sunrise → one-half hour after sunset

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

All states·South Dakota season dates·South Dakota regulations

South Dakota shooting hours, answered

What are the legal shooting hours in South Dakota?

For game animals, South 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 Pierre?

Today legal light ends at 7:09 PM CDT at Pierre (6:39 PM sunset plus the after-sunset offset). Set your precise location above for your exact spot.