Hunters shot a record 222,329 deer during the November segment of Missouri’s firearms deer season Nov. 13-23.

That number was almost 5,000 higher than the previous record that was established in 2002.

Favorable weather both weekends probably was a factor in the record-setting deer harvest.

“The season got off to a record-setting pace,” said Missouri official Lonnie Hansen. “The weather was cool but not cold, and there was no rain. The next weekend was a little warmer, but still excellent hunting weather.”

Hunters set a blistering pace on the opening weekend, bringing 133,136 deer to check stations in just two days.

That was 5,885 more than the previous opening-weekend record, set in 2002. The pace slowed to normal after that.

Last year’s November firearms deer harvest was 207,516. The record take in the previous year was 217,435.