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 7:10 AM to 7:19 PM CDT.

Updated September 2026

Sun altitude · Sun, Oct 25CDT · Game animals

NightTwilightDayLegal window

Now

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Legal from7:10 AM

Sunrise7:40 AM

Sunset6:49 PM

Legal until7:19 PM

Civil dawn7:15 AM

Civil dusk7:14 PM

Legal day12h 09m

Daylight11h 09m

Sunrise bearing104°

Sunset bearing256°

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 7:19 PM CDT at Austin (6:49 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.