Morrells Big Paws Guide Service

note: The following reviews predate the numeric rating system and are not included in this outfitter's overall rating.

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outfitter review submitted by: Bob Waters on Apr 12 2001

Species Hunted: Black Bear

Game Quality: none

Accommodation Quality: slept in converted bus (Bad)

Camp Condition: ok

Food Quality: fair

Guide Experience: I did not get into woods

Other Personal Experience: bad

Overall Impression: Terrible/Horror

Recommend: not in two lifetimes

Reviewer Comments: I wonder how some people can say that their hunt with this man was even fair, When I arrived with my hunting buddy we were told that they were going to bring in a bus for us to sleep in because the 2 bedrooms that were there had 2 guys in them and the other 2 were sleeping on the 2 sofas in the main room (Kitchen,living room). After we were taken out to the woods by what we thought was a guide,we were rushed back to camp because the wardens were looking for us, this was relayed to him by walkie talkie. by the way the supposed guide said to us when we wanted him to help with the packs that he is the cook and does not carry any packs. We never got into the stands that day or any day after. We were stuck in camp for the week as we did not have transportation back to the airport. He did not refund our money or even say he was sorry the way things turned out. We were told it was OK to fish even though the season was closed. Vic Morell has to be the worst outfitter in Canada. I wrote this only after reading some reveiws that gave him a fair or better rating. We hunted with this man because of the reviews we read in the outfitters review, only to find out some of these were from his friends that rented him the camp we were staying at. Makes you think what can you believe. He also had a outpost camp that was not located by the wardens. He had 4 legal sites and 10 hunters the week I was there. NO BEARS WERE TAKEN.

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outfitter review submitted by: Ray Tobin on Oct 28 2000

Species Hunted: Black Bear

Game Quality: NA

Accommodation Quality: Excellent

Camp Condition: NA

Food Quality: Great

Guide Experience: Excellent

Other Personal Experience: Outstanding

Overall Impression: Great Hunting

Recommend: In a heartbeat

Reviewer Comments: I Bow hunted with Vic and was not sucessful (5 out of 6 rifle hunters were while I was there) however all the sites had fresh sign and bears were hitting the bait after hours. Thats why its called Hunting and not Shooting. My non hunting wife was with me on the trip thus we stay at a "special" camp which was very confortable and nice. I plan on returning in 2001 for another try. I was very pleased with every aspect of his operation and am looking forward to my return. You cannot go wrong with Vic's operation.

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outfitter review submitted by: Bryan McCreary on Oct 20 2000

Species Hunted: Black Bear

Game Quality: n/a

Accommodation Quality: o.k.

Camp Condition: o.k.

Food Quality: o.k.

Guide Experience: n/a

Other Personal Experience: n/a

Overall Impression: n/a

Recommend: maybe

Reviewer Comments: After booking our hunt for black bear about six months in advance, our group had numerous phone calls and e-mails with the owner of Morrell's Big Paws, Vic. We provided the names of our group and our travel plans and started to wonder when we kept getting confusing messages from Vic with other names and requests for info we had already provided. The last phone call from Vic was the night before we were leaving once again asking about our arrival time and place. Well, after a days drive and a 3-¾ hour ferry ride we arrived in Nova Scotia. Vic's wife met us and took us out to the cabin. Later in the afternoon Sis the cook arrived and while preparing supper, she dropped a bomb on us by casually mentioning that the next day, Monday, was Thanksgiving in Canada and no hunting was allowed on holidays. From the time we booked no mention had ever been made that our hunt would be one day shorter than it was supposed to be because of a holiday and to top it off it was apparent that Monday was going to be the best day of our hunt given that it was going to start raining on Tuesday thru the rest of the week and we were moving towards a full moon on Friday. When Vic arrived that night we told him that we were very disappointed that we would have to sit around all day Monday. Vic said that he was just too busy and forgot that it was a holiday and we could not hunt. He did not offer to pro-rate or discount the hunt because of his mistake. When we told him we were heading home he said that he would return half of our deposit but after returning he told us by phone that we would not get a refund. Vic likes to say that he is a "man of my word" but unfortunately he forgets what his word was from day to day or his word changes. The folks we met were all nice but Vic seems to be very unorganized and forgetful, not the way I would run a business. From what we heard the success rate for this year is running about one third of that posted on Vic's web site.

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outfitter review submitted by: MARK HARDY on Oct 2 2000

Species Hunted: BLACK BEAR

Game Quality: NONE

Accommodation Quality: ADEQUATE

Camp Condition: GOOD

Food Quality: GOOD

Guide Experience: GOOD

Other Personal Experience: OKAY

Overall Impression: TERRIBLE

Recommend: ABSOLUTELY NOT

Reviewer Comments: MY FATHER AND I HAVE BEEN ON ONLY A FEW OUTFITTED HUNTS, DUE TO TIGHT SCHEDULES AND SAVING FOR THE HUNTS. THIS HUNT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ONE OF THE BETTER ONES FROM ALL OF THE REFERENCES WE CHECKED AND VIC'S NICE WEB SITE. HOWEVER WE FOUND THE TRUTH OUT THREE DAYS INTO OUR HUNT WHEN I WAS PULLED OUT OF MY ILLEGAL STAND SITE BY A LOCAL DNR OFFICER. THE NEXT 3 HOURS WERE SPENT ANSWERING QUESTIONS AND GIVING SPECIFICS ABOUT VIC AND HIS OPERATION. COME TO FIND OUT THAT VIC HAS BEEN ILLEGALLY HUNTING IN THE AREA FOR AT LEAST 2YEARS AND THE DNR GUYS WERE WAITING FOR THE NECESSARY EVIDENCE TO BUST HIM. MY FATHER WAS TAKEN IN FOR QUESTIONING AS WELL AS THE OTHER TWO FELLAS IN OUR CAMP. WE WERE VERY EXCITED TO BE HUNTING WITH VIC AFTER READING ALL THE OTHER REVIEWS ON THIS SITE, BUT WERE DISSAPPOINTED TO KNOW THAT VIC ONLY HAD 4 LEGAL SITES FOR 8 HUNTERS WHICH GENERALLY DOES NOT WORK. THE SAD THING IS HE KNEW THIS THE DAY BEFORE WE GOT THERE AND HE DID NOT FESS UP SO THAT WE COULD MAKE THE DECISION TO STAY OR LEAVE. WE WOULD BE SOMEWHAT HAPPIER IF HE HAD DONE THE HONORABLE THING ANDOFFERED OUR MONEY BACK. BUT INSTEAD HE TOLD US WE COULD COME BACK NEXT YEAR FOR FREE. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS ACCORDING TO THE DNR OFFICERS, THERE WILL NOT BE A NEXT YEAR. IF YOU WOULD LIKE ANY OTHER FURTHER INFO PLEASE CONTACT ME BELOW.

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outfitter review submitted by: ROBERT ALTRATH on Sep 24 2000

Species Hunted: BLACK BEAR

Game Quality: GREAT

Accommodation Quality: GREAT

Camp Condition: GREAT

Food Quality: GREAT

Guide Experience: GREAT

Other Personal Experience: GREAT

Overall Impression: GREAT

Recommend: YES

Reviewer Comments: VIC AND HIS BROTHER ROSS ARE GREAT GUIDES AS WELL AS PROFESIONAL HUNTERS. SISSIE THE COOK WAS GREAT. VIC TAKES PRIDE IN WHAT HE DOES AND IS CONCERNED ABOUT HUNTER AS WELL AS THE BEARS. THIS WAS MY FIRST TIME THIER AND 3 HOURS INTO THE HUNT I SHOT MY 300LB TRYING TO CLIMB IN THE STAND WITH ME. I PLAN ON GOING BACK NEXT YEAR.

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outfitter review submitted by: SANDRAA HAACK on Mar 5 2000

Species Hunted: BLACK BEAR

Game Quality: EXCELENT

Accommodation Quality: EXCALENT

Camp Condition: GOOD

Food Quality: EXCELENT HOME MADE

Guide Experience: PROFESSTION

Other Personal Experience: VERY GOOD

Overall Impression: WOOD LIKE TO GO AGIN

Recommend: ALWAYS

Reviewer Comments: I AM WOMAN HUNTER FOR THE FIRST TIME AND WAS SOO EXCITED WATCHING MOMMA BEAR WITH KIDS ALL FOUR ON FIRST DAY.TOOK SNAPSHOTS AND THEN VISITED A NEW PLACE AND ON THREE DAY ME SHOOT 375 # MAN BEARAND I WANT TO TRY AGAIN NEXT YAER.LOTS OF GOOD FOOD SISSIE BEST COOK EVER HAD KNOWS WHAT WEE ALL LIKE WAS FIRST HUNT WITH VICK ANDHE TELL ME MANY TIPPS ON HOW TO STAY STILL AND WAIT FOR BEAR HE IS A GOOD GOOD MANN TO HUNT

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outfitter review submitted by: Urban Standar on Feb 27 2000

Species Hunted: Bear

Game Quality: Large

Accommodation Quality: Excellent

Camp Condition: Exellent very clean

Food Quality: Excellent

Guide Experience: Excellent

Other Personal Experience: Professional

Overall Impression: Professional

Recommend: yes

Reviewer Comments: I hunted the first time with them last Fall 99 we were met at the airport which was welcomed.Arriving at lodge,hot home made soup was served at 11 pm,which was not expected the people were very friendly.woke up in morning to the sight of of a glass smooth lake with loons greeting us in the quiet stillness.We relaxed this morning,which was welcomed after a long flight from Stockholm Sweden.I watched a bear come in site on day 3 and it was so fasinating I did not shoot it,took pics instead.I have booked for this Fall 2000 and taking a bear home.I found Vick and his guides,Sis the cook,Marie Vicks wife very happy and hard working.Thank you all for the nice time and spending evenings with us.

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outfitter review submitted by: Goran Ivanoff on Jan 23 2000

Species Hunted: Big Black Bears !!!!

Game Quality: Big East Coast Black Bears

Accommodation Quality: Excellent

Camp Condition: Exellent

Food Quality: Exellent

Guide Experience: Great Hunters-Trackers

Other Personal Experience: Professional People

Overall Impression: Excellent

Recommend: Yes,Honest-Hard Working

Reviewer Comments: I am from Sweden,I first hunted with Vic of Morrells BigPaws 3 years ago.I have hunted in Manitoba many times also.I did not know what to expect for the first time in Nova Scotia.I booked my first hunt in 1997 and when I arrived at Halifax with other friends from Sweden,We were greeted by Vic personally.When we all arrived at the Lodge which I was not expecting such a beautiful place there was a hot meal waiting for us which we really enjoyed after a long flight. The weather was bad for first 2 days after which hunting was very exciting, I took a 260 kg 500 lb bear.the next year I brought my wife and two other hunters from Sweden,My wife took 300# first time she watched 4 bears come into site.one hunter took his 400# first 2 hours of hunt.I took my bear on day 4 of hunt and I thought it was an elephant coming it was light grey in color,very rare for east coast 400# male.The other friend from Sweden got his bear also.I will be coming to Victor Morrells after hunting 3 years with them I know these people and hard working!!These people know how to hunt and put you in best areas.I bought a car and left it in their care until I return each Fall for bear/deer hunting.The food is prepared just great,plenty to eat!!I wish the Fall to come soon!I recommend Morrells to all. Thank you.

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outfitter review submitted by: James A. Blankenship on Dec 20 1999

Species Hunted: Black Bear

Game Quality: Large

Accommodation Quality: Home Away From Home

Camp Condition: Very Good

Food Quality: The Best

Guide Experience: A-1

Other Personal Experience: A-1

Overall Impression: Excellent

Recommend: Without Any Doubts

Reviewer Comments: I hunted with Vic during late Sept.early Oct.1999 weather was a little warm which was unusual for N.S.at this time of year, but we saw a lot of big bear sign.The first day I took a large Eastern Coyote about a 70 pounder on one of the off woods roads we traveled.The bait sites were visited everyday by some very Large Bears,tossing the heavy timbers and barrells around like falling leaves.I sure learned these big bears are stealthy and super sensitive,moving through the forest like ghosts.I didn\\\\\\\'t even hear the huge bear when he appeared at the bait site!I just looked up and there he was,as (big as a Volkswagon),pushing the barrel over.I had to move to get my 7mm mag which created a slight squeak,and the bear looked right at me.He turned his head back toward the barrel in a smooth motion,and then into a shuffling gait and out of the site.After about 30 min.he returned entering in a different direction.I was really surprised because I didn\\\\\\\'t hear any twigs or limbs break.He walked right into the bait site,stopped behind some trees and looked toward the stand.I could see his large nose pulsating to locate the alien in his woods.after what seemed to be an hour,about 15 sec.he just walked right out of the site keeping the barrel and trees between himself and me.I Had My Chance And Missed It. Vic and his brother Ross worked hard and put me in the right place at the right time.They were up early and out late working the bait sites.They let me work with them on the sites and in doing so I saw lots of big bear sign,as we traveled the back roads we saw lots of deer tracks,some huge ones,where blinds were going to be placed.We saw pheasants,Partridge in the woods also.This was a Great Trip!These are great people.Marie and Sissy made sure I was \\\\\\\"fed well\\\\\\\"The Lodge is located on a lake full of trout so bring your fishing gear.I plan to return next year to get that big bear,a big buck,catch a fish dinner and shoot some some grouse!!

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outfitter review submitted by: Wayne Rogers on Dec 15 1999

Species Hunted: Black Bear

Game Quality: >300 #

Accommodation Quality: Rustic comfort

Camp Condition: Excellent

Food Quality: Home cooking

Guide Experience: Unmatched

Other Personal Experience: Good

Overall Impression: Thrilling!

Recommend: Absolutely!

Reviewer Comments: If you want a thrilling hunting experience with guides who are dedicated to ensuring that everything possible is done to make your hunt successful - go to Vic Morrells Bigpaws in Nova Scotia. This was the most exciting and enjoyable hunt of my life! The over 300# bear caught me snoozing because I had spent the night helping track another hunter\\\'s 500# bear. But I woke up, staring into the eyes of my bear, standing on its hind legs. Heart pounding, I had just enough time to get off a perfect heart shot from my stand. Vic is the best bear skinner around and I can\\\'t wait to hang my bear in the Rec Room. Vic, his guides, and the other hunters became fast longtime friends. We have planned a repeat hunt together at Vic\\\'s.

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