I think the hours set for legal shooting time are set for 2 reasons. Safety and game conservation. It sounds like in some states, shooting time ends at sunset for deer. Any hunter knows that a deer can be shot easily 15 -20 mins after sunset. There's plenty of light. I would think that states with these rules are trying to keep the kill down for one reason or another.

As for shooting too early, the same apply's. If you are gun hunting, there's enough light to shoot 1/2 before sunrise on a close shot even with the worse weather. Shooting time should be 1/2 before and after sunrise for deer if safety is really the concern.

Now this year during DE shotgun. I heard shooting 1 full hour before sunrise and 45 mins after sunset. There was no moon this day. You are shooting at silloettes. No excuse for that.

Im with jersey on one thing, I couldnt look at a mount or remember a deer I killed without feeling guilty. About 10 years ago, I drew a Refuge stand on public ground that I hunt. It was a clear, full moonlite night. I didnt even need the flashlight to get to the stand. As I headed to the stand, I came around the corner of a field and there was this deer standing there, 15 yds away. The 1st thing I thought was, 'who let that horse out in this field?' If my gun was loaded, I could easily killed him. But, I never would have been proud of it and I dont need deer meat that bad.

So, to each their own. But remember breaking the law makes all hunters look bad, not just yourself. Keep it in mind next time you are tempted by the dark side.