[Fuzzee]

Hello everyone. I am of course new to this.
I am 20, female, and completely alone in my prepping.
I have a bug out bag already, I've had it for over a year and just recently updated it. It's only stocked with enough stuff to last me a couple of days.
I live just on the outskirts of Atlanta and plan to head north into the Appalachian Mountains when things go down.
I do have rifle training but I feel firearms will just weigh me down, so I plan to keep fishing wire and hooks and use my dog who is a rat terrier in great shape to help catch small game. I've watched him take down quite a few squirrels and birds to know he is capable. :grin:
I know it will be dangerous for a girl such as myself to have nothing but a small dog at my side. I tried to bring up bug out plans with my friends and they all agreed they were staying with their family, I have no family so I guess I'm alone in this.
General advice and criticism to help me?

Firearms are going to be extremely important when shtf hard that people are forced to bugout. You will not be alone Kim, just unless you're with people you know and have grouped with, you'll be surrounded by strangers. I have heard many people in particular voice how their planning to hit the Appalachian Trail. A female alone is a huge target. Sad to say but our society is densely populated with guys who will take advantage of people by their own and women in the worst way. My siblings are all girls and I swear I wish they had more sense to get better armed than they are. If you can't find others to join with for security and survival, than even a pistol is better than nothing. A 9mm compact like a Compact PX4 will not be that heavy with a couple spare magazines when the time comes you need it. And you will need it. If not the 9mm, than a lighter caliber, even a .22lr is better than nothing. A 10/22 as mentioned is a very light rifle when it comes down to it at about 6 lbs loaded with a 10 round magazine. You can defend yourself with it though it's not an AR15 or more potent defensive caliber, it can still do more damage than a sharp stick, and from distance. A 10/22 is one of the best semi-automatic .22lr's there is and an excellent huntng rifle that can take lots of game. Far more than the dog would ever get. If he's even willing to share.

PX4 Compact

or the sub-compact which is a little smaller,

PX4 Sub-compact

or the 10/22 for more hunting besides,

Ruger® 10/22® Autoloading Rifles