if your going to an area picked out by your buddy maybe have a local run some baits for you.you might be able for a fee to get someone to do it. your gonna want to start baits a month before and they have to be checked and maitained so maybe your buddy could find someone he trusts for you. another choice would be to hunt on your own looking for berry patches or try doing a honey burn to try to draw them in. get a coleman or similar burner and pour the honey in a pot or ive herd of people heating up rocks. usually ive found in maine they have off and on years with the berry growth. if its a bad year for berries i would go with a honey burn.