Tools/Legal light/Texas

Legal shooting light in Texas

In short

In Texas, legal shooting light for game animals runs from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. At Austin today that is 6:43 AM to 8:11 PM CDT.

Updated September 2026
Sun altitude · Fri, Sep 11CDT · Game animals
HORIZON30°60°12 AM3 AM6 AM9 AMNOON3 PM6 PM9 PM12 AMLEGAL 6:43 AMENDS 8:11 PMSUNRISE 7:13 AMSUNSET 7:41 PM
NightTwilightDayLegal window
Now
—
 
Legal from6:43 AM
Sunrise7:13 AM
Sunset7:41 PM
Legal until8:11 PM
Civil dawn6:49 AM
Civil dusk8:05 PM
Legal day13h 28m
Daylight12h 28m
NESW
Sunrise bearing84°
Sunset bearing275°
The Texas ruleVerified 2026-09-04
Game animals & non-migratory birdsone-half hour before sunrise → one-half hour after sunset
Migratory game birdsone-half hour before sunrise → sunset
  • El Paso and Hudspeth counties observe Mountain Time; times shown here are for the rest of Texas (Central Time).
  • Special White-winged Dove Days run noon to sunset.

Source: TPWD Outdoor Annual, general definitions. Sun times computed with astronomy-engine (USNO convention: upper limb, refraction).

All states·Texas season dates·Texas regulations

Texas shooting hours, answered

What are the legal shooting hours in Texas?

For game animals, Texas allows hunting from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Source: TPWD Outdoor Annual, general definitions.

When does legal light end today at Austin?

Today legal light ends at 8:11 PM CDT at Austin (7:41 PM sunset plus the after-sunset offset). Set your precise location above for your exact spot.

Are shooting hours different for migratory birds in Texas?

Migratory game birds: one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Doves, ducks, geese and other migratory birds close at sunset.