beagleman, my girlfriend won a trip through buckmasters to go there a few years ago, and this is what i can tell you from what she learned. first, your hide, if you were thinking of a rug, will most likely be shedding at that time. second, make sure that you can carry a weapon as a back-up, not everyplace allows it. in vt., when we are bow hunting, we are not alowed a firearm, even if hunting for bear. look at the head of the bear. if the ears are close together, like a toy bear, then it is a small one. if they are wider, for example hers has a gap of at least four inches inside to inside, that's about 180, dressed. they will still be skinny, so you probably won't be able to use gut size as a way to help you. use the head as your guide. if you can bring a firearm, use the 12 gauge. i drove her up there, you will want all the bug spray you can bring, plus a bug proof suit. the big ones will still be there, don't worry. who are you using for a guide service, and where are they out of?