I don't think that I have ever seen a post quite like this!
Going from bunnies to giant bears in one leap and not being able to handle a heavy-recoil rifle is asinine.
She needs to rethink her abilities with a heavy rifle, or as was stated, just take a camera.
There is no free lunch. If a rifle is good enough to handle a big bear, there will be recoil.
I think that most guides do, indeed, have minimum requirements.