Not just North Carolina. Back in the late 60’s while working for a paper company with 2 million acres across North Alabama and North Georgia, we were told that if we ever come across a still, to just keep on walking and be quite about it. The company was afraid of intentionally set fires if a shiner ever got turned in. One day while me and another fellow were checking on company lands in St Clair County, Alabama, we “accidentally” walked up on a working still with smoke coming up out of the stove pipe. We were about 30 feet from the still before we saw it. It was a frightening experience. We could have been shot and thrown in one of the many coal mining holes scattered across North Alabama, and no one would of ever found us. We immediately stopped talking, and kept on walking. Never told anyone about it.
Also, had a paper company friend who grew up in Baker County (North Florida) Florida, who had lots of stories to tell about the many North Florida moonshine stills that were still in operation in Baker County into the 70’s. He talked about seeing Greyhound busses with all the seats removed, traveling down deep woods graded roads, which would be filled with shine and driven down to Miami.
Also an awesome story! :-D