You can be a pro in 4 weeks......well plenty good to shoot a bear from a treestand.

11 months? no worries.

and I agree, use a gun if you want, you can probably bring both if you wanted too.

I've learned though you should probably have taken game before you book a hunt/use a weapon that has been untested......

ie have shot a deer with a bow before you book that big elk hunt with a bow out west.....etc...etc...or at least it would significantly help to have....