You have to pay an extra $125 dollars to validate your out of state bear tag in NC. I live in VA and get my NC license every year(great place to hunt), and you are right there are some big black bear in the state. I was wondering how the deer were eating so much corn so quickly at one particular spot so I put my camera out and found out why. It may come with a bear tag but it is no good until you pay the additional money.
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2v0ofvr
This picture link sucks but it will eventually come up.