Regarding the bird hunting part of your post, consider woodcock. Lots of great habitat on public land in NC and VA. Specifically, I have had a lot of fun hunting them at the Butner Game Lands near Durham, as well as closer to my home in Halifax County VA. They are in season now in both states, I think for the rest of January in NC and through January 21 in VA. You need a dog to hunt them effectively enough to make it enjoyable. If you would like to discuss it or maybe get together and hunt, send me a PM with your email address and/or phone number.
