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 6:45 AM to 8:29 PM CDT.

Updated September 2026

Sun altitude · Fri, Sep 11CDT · Game animals

NightTwilightDayLegal window

Now

—

Legal from6:45 AM

Sunrise7:15 AM

Sunset7:59 PM

Legal until8:29 PM

Civil dawn6:46 AM

Civil dusk8:28 PM

Legal day13h 43m

Daylight12h 43m

Sunrise bearing83°

Sunset bearing277°

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 8:29 PM CDT at Pierre (7:59 PM sunset plus the after-sunset offset). Set your precise location above for your exact spot.