Because the National Forests in North Carolina are under the jurdisdiction of the game department and classified as game lands it's illegal to carry any gun outside the hunting seasons on NF land except for certain .22 rimfire handguns.

I think I might suggest a change in law at the wildlife meetings this winter to allow CCW holders to carry ANY handgun on their persons.

CRC

 You may well draw attention to a non-existent 'problem'. Nobody hassles you 'looking for guns' on NF lands now.[Cruising a clear-cut at night with a spotlight from your SUV will elicit a different response!]
 I've never seen nor heard a ranger ask about guns where I kayak regularily in NC in a NF[And,yes, I'm basically always armed]. Never even felt an uncontrollable urge to poach a bambi eating by the tent!
 Further, those that keep their own counsel and accept individual responsibility are adhering to their dictates already-whatever the 'law' may read. Ghost