Went to high school in Statesville 10 years ago. I live in Charlotte now. Im sure you will have no problems up there finding some hunting buddies/ areas as its still pretty country in and around there. No bear in statesville that Ive seen youll have to hit the mountains which you can be there in an hr. Whitetails are moving good already this year, I shot a doe 3 days into bow season here, and it was my 1st hunt out. If your looking into archery check out "barefoot archery" in charlotte, guys there can get ya rigged up nice even on a budget. Good luck and welcome to the board!