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Texas Legal Hunting Hours (2026)
Info: In Texas, all game animals and nonmigratory game birds may be taken from 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset.
Official source: tpwd.texas.gov →
Texas legal hunting hours by date
The rule above (game animals and nonmigratory game birds): 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.
| Austin | Start (CDT) | End (CDT) |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Oct 17 | 7:05 AM | 7:27 PM |
| Sun, Oct 18 | 7:06 AM | 7:26 PM |
| Mon, Oct 19 | 7:06 AM | 7:25 PM |
| Tue, Oct 20 | 7:07 AM | 7:24 PM |
| Wed, Oct 21 | 7:08 AM | 7:23 PM |
| Thu, Oct 22 | 7:08 AM | 7:22 PM |
| Fri, Oct 23 | 7:09 AM | 7:21 PM |
| Sat, Oct 24 | 7:10 AM | 7:20 PM |
| Sun, Oct 25 | 7:11 AM | 7:19 PM |
| Mon, Oct 26 | 7:11 AM | 7:18 PM |
| Tue, Oct 27 | 7:12 AM | 7:17 PM |
| Wed, Oct 28 | 7:13 AM | 7:16 PM |
| Thu, Oct 29 | 7:13 AM | 7:15 PM |
| Fri, Oct 30 | 7:14 AM | 7:15 PM |
Sunrise moves about 4 minutes for every 50 miles east or west, so times where you hunt can differ from Austin. Texas's rule refers to official sunrise and sunset; where the state's own tables differ, they govern. Seasons, species, special areas and Sundays can have their own hours — check the official source before you hunt. Sunday hunting in Texas
General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.
Legal Hunting Hours in states bordering Texas
The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.
- ArkansasInfo
In Arkansas, legal hunting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset; night hunting is prohibited except for raccoon, opossum and bobcat.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: agfc.com · Full Arkansas rule →
- LouisianaInfo
In Louisiana, shooting hours for deer and big game are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset; raccoon and opossum may be taken day or night.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: wlf.louisiana.gov · Full Louisiana rule →
- New MexicoInfo
In New Mexico, legal shooting hours for big game are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset; hunting outside those hours is prohibited.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: wildlife.dgf.nm.gov · Full New Mexico rule →
- OklahomaInfo
In Oklahoma, big game shooting hours are one-half hour before official sunrise to one-half hour after official sunset.
Verified Jun 18, 2026 · Source: wildlifedepartment.com · Full Oklahoma rule →
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