Omg... I should have shot it? Maybe?

[Wild one]

If you have to think about if it’s legal light or not you are better off to pass in my opinion.

[f350ps]

WOW, that's all I've got!!! K

[Ohwildwon]

U don't have Hunt Buddy or the like?

OMG

[Slinky Pickle]

If you can still see it well enough to shoot then you're still legal. As others have said though, make sure you know what time sunset is right to the minute each day. It's amazing how much it changes each day. Huntbuddy and a few other apps will tell you the times for sunrise and sunset in your actual position. I refer to it regularly.

[Jack Russell]

I could check sunset for the nearest town, but that's a ways away and 1500M elevation difference w/ totally different landscape so wouldn't be too relevant where I'm at.

I just go with the "how good can I see" method and it this one felt a little "off" but still an "on the fence" moment.

Maybe this is why I can't get a deer to save my life though

What would a CO use to determine if it was legal shooting light, or not, at that area, if he had pulled you over?

[albravo2]

Curious, where do you read that it depends on local terrain? All I see is one hour after/before published sunset and that doesn't change per terrain.

[f350ps]

Curious, where do you read that it depends on local terrain? All I see is one hour after/before published sunset and that doesn't change per terrain.

Sunset on the coast today is 18:27, sunset in Reg 3-30 today is 18:18, just sayin. To the OP, get yourself a GPS or HuntBuddy and your problem is solved! K

[180grainer]

Sooo I'm up hunting somewhere (with reception for a change LOL)

We're just road hunting around, driving back to camp. It was getting pretty dark... almost dark.

Then we see this huge muley (at least a 5x5 with a great big body) on the road. I wasn't sure if it was "legal light" or not. I switched off my headlights to see how well I could see... could still see a good 30-40 yards or so though not much detail... watched the deer walk off into the bush and then kept driving.

I don't know what I'd do if I had a "do over" on that one haha.

Maybe I'll see him in the morning. Didn't even really plan on seeing a deer this trip. I just wanted to do our annual "Thanksgiving Road Hunt" and give the birdies a little heck.

Anyway Happy Thanksgiving friends!!

Isn't it a half hour before sunrise and half hour after sunset for Migratory birds and an hour on either end for animals? I doubt you could have counted tines at 40 yards an hour after sunset, but maybe I'm wrong about that.

[Pacemaker]

What would a CO use to determine if it was legal shooting light, or not, at that area, if he had pulled you over?

In reply to the above quote, a C.O. would have used a watch and a GPS to figure out if it was legal. Pretty simple.....

[Bugle M In]

You did the right thing.
If you are not sure, don't shoot.
But yes, legal light is different when you have mtn's in the way.
Good on ya, and hopefully karma helps you in the future.