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California Legal Hunting Hours (2026)

Info: In California, big-game hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset (Cal. Code Regs. Title 14, Sec. 352).

InfoVerified Jul 30, 2026

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Official source: nrm.dfg.ca.gov →

California legal hunting hours by date

The rule above (big game): 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, worked out from each place’s own sunrise and sunset. Start times are rounded up and end times down to the minute.

Legal hunting hours for Sacramento, California
Sacramento	Start (PDT)	End (PDT)
Sat, Oct 17	6:48 AM	6:54 PM
Sun, Oct 18	6:49 AM	6:53 PM
Mon, Oct 19	6:50 AM	6:51 PM
Tue, Oct 20	6:51 AM	6:50 PM
Wed, Oct 21	6:52 AM	6:49 PM
Thu, Oct 22	6:53 AM	6:47 PM
Fri, Oct 23	6:54 AM	6:46 PM
Sat, Oct 24	6:55 AM	6:45 PM
Sun, Oct 25	6:56 AM	6:43 PM
Mon, Oct 26	6:57 AM	6:42 PM
Tue, Oct 27	6:58 AM	6:41 PM
Wed, Oct 28	6:59 AM	6:40 PM
Thu, Oct 29	7:00 AM	6:39 PM
Fri, Oct 30	7:01 AM	6:37 PM

Sunrise moves about 4 minutes for every 50 miles east or west, so times where you hunt can differ from Sacramento. Seasons, species, special areas and Sundays can have their own hours — check the official source before you hunt. Sunday hunting in California

General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.

Legal Hunting Hours in states bordering California

The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.

ArizonaInfo
In Arizona, legal shooting time is during daylight hours (per the sunrise-sunset chart) or as set by Commission Order. Artificial light is illegal except for raccoon and certain mammals.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: azgfd.com · Full Arizona rule →
NevadaInfo
In Nevada, big game hunting hours are from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset, unless otherwise specified.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: ndow.org · Full Nevada rule →
OregonInfo
In Oregon, game mammals may be hunted only from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: myodfw.com · Full Oregon rule →

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