Open Carry is overrated and necessarilly underutilized. In plain English that means restrict it to (your) private property. Even in the woods it pays to be discrete. It's not just for tactical reasons; NC has a law about "terrorizing the public". Open carry in a public place virtually guarantees a complaint to law enforcement. It's all in the eye of the beholder and LEOs have to respond to the citizen's complaint. (We all know how the general public is programmed to respond to firearms - and the people who are willing to exercise their rights.)
As for CCW classes - Go ask the guys at Shooters. They rank right at the top of the local SF friendly businesses and have decent prices. They will recommend a quality instructor and you don't have to drive all the way to Southern Pines unless you just "want" to (Ed's is worth the trip, they're good people too.) Personally I would pay 10-15% more for an item somewhere (anywhere) else before I would spend money at Jim's.
Take the CCW class. Even if you never get the permit the course (from a quality instructor) is well worth the money because of its strong emphasis on NC law. Everyone needs to know the law with respects to deadly force if they intend to carry a weapon.
As for ranges - check out McKellars. Personally I'm not enamored of the businesses that own the two indoor ranges in F'nam and I'm willing to vote with my checkbook. McKellars range has changed management and it's a lot more "user friendly". You can't beat the price or the convenience and you'll probably meet a few people you know (lots of "kids"
from the "Q"). Besides; during the week, the lunch buffet is "maximum troughage".