It's the first day of hunting season in New York and as hunters head out, AAA says it’s important to stay alert at the wheel.

Just like prime hunting time, animal crashes happen most often when the sun is down.

AAA says there were nearly 34,000 animal-related crashes statewide in 2020, the second highest level in the past decade.

They want to remind drivers that hunting will stir the deer population closer to roads, so drive with an extra close eye, especially at night.

AAA recommends people driving in the dark to scan the road, follow the speed limit and if a collision is unavoidable, press your brakes firmly to stay in your lane.