Tools/Legal light/Virginia

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 6:18 AM to 7:53 PM EDT.

Updated September 2026
Sun altitude · Fri, Sep 11EDT · Game animals
HORIZON30°60°12 AM3 AM6 AM9 AMNOON3 PM6 PM9 PM12 AMLEGAL 6:18 AMENDS 7:53 PMSUNRISE 6:48 AMSUNSET 7:23 PM
NightTwilightDayLegal window
Now
—
 
Legal from6:18 AM
Sunrise6:48 AM
Sunset7:23 PM
Legal until7:53 PM
Civil dawn6:22 AM
Civil dusk7:49 PM
Legal day13h 35m
Daylight12h 35m
NESW
Sunrise bearing84°
Sunset bearing276°
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 7:53 PM EDT at Richmond (7:23 PM sunset plus the after-sunset offset). Set your precise location above for your exact spot.