There is no restriction to having to be in a tree stand or elevated 10 feet during rifle season. Whoever told you that is pulling your leg (to put it nicely). Here is NC's big game regulations and such. http://www.ncwildlife.org/Portals/0/...er-Seasons.pdf I would suggest you go to NC's hunting digest page and read the whole thing. I believe you will also need to take a hunters safety course in NC before you can get a license but I am not positive of that. BUT I recommend ALL new hunters take that course whether the state demands it or not.