Legal shooting light in Virginia

In short

In Virginia, legal shooting light for game animals runs from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. At Richmond today that is 6:58 AM to 6:48 PM EDT.

Updated September 2026

Sun altitude · Mon, Oct 26EDT · Game animals

NightTwilightDayLegal window

Now

—

Legal from6:58 AM

Sunrise7:28 AM

Sunset6:18 PM

Legal until6:48 PM

Civil dawn7:01 AM

Civil dusk6:44 PM

Legal day11h 49m

Daylight10h 49m

Sunrise bearing105°

Sunset bearing255°

The Virginia ruleCommon rule · confirm with agency

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

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

All states·Virginia season dates·Virginia regulations

Virginia shooting hours, answered

What are the legal shooting hours in Virginia?

For game animals, Virginia 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 Richmond?

Today legal light ends at 6:48 PM EDT at Richmond (6:18 PM sunset plus the after-sunset offset). Set your precise location above for your exact spot.