Hello,
I'm thinking about trying to get a drill and an auger for digging dirt holes and retrieving earth anchors. Any advice on what drill or auger to buy? I'm hoping to get an auger for my birthday (Apr. 20th) so I'd like to know what kind to ask for!
Thank you,
AuthorTrapper.

I use a Dewalt battery powered drill with a 2” auger. I have a long extension welded to my auger to be able to drill the holes deep and while standing up.


https://www.southeasternoutdoor.com/p-1142-2-drill-auger.aspx

I use a hand cranked drill and a cut down auger anchor

Have Tom stalker build you an auger, hands down the best money you can spend. As for a drill get a cordless hammer drill with the 90 degree handle so you can use both hands. Also you'll want at least 4ah or 5ah batteries.

I used a Dewalt 18 volt cordless drill with 3 inch Auger for a long time. Then I went to a BT 45 earth auger with 4 inch bit. LOVE IT! make a 18 inch deep hole AND they ant getting my bait unless one coyote = hold the other coyotes tail to help steal the bait down the hole

I use a 2 inch auger with an 18v Dewalt. The handle helps immensely, especially when putting the drill aside to finish the set....its like a kickstand to keep the drill off the ground.

Look at furshedfab.com. Josh makes a great auger.


I used a regular drill, but it would twist too much. I bought a ryobi hammer drill with handle on ebay brand new for about half the cost of the box store. Works great!

I use a 18 volt Milwaukee drill with an auger made by Tom Stalker or Josh at Furshedfab. Com. I also have a rotary hammer drill by Milwaukee that is a beast. Use it to chisel trap beds in frozen ground, as well as drilling dirtholes, driving wolffangs and using a masonary bit for drilling pilot holes for the Earth anchors. The rotary is a game changer.

20v dewalt hammer drill. havent needed the hammer part except in red clay

The only auger I’ve found that will reliably cut my ground is attached to the skid steer.

RK Auger

Contact tstalker@nycap.rr.com. I looked at his drill augers they look awesome and are fabricated by a trapper. I've been looking at them myself.

I have a 3 inch auger made by stalker and use a 18volt dewalt hammer drill
j

I found all kinds of wood bits from 2" to 1 1/2" at farm auctions and antique places. They just about give them away.

This one works for me.

https://www.menards.com/main/outdoo...ll-bulb-planter/7635/p-1444425681226.htm

X2 Everything Josh has made for me has been GREAT!!!

I use a brace and bit 1 1/2" by 11 works great for me about 2 bucks at a flea market

Thanks everyone!

The strength of the bit depends A LOT on the type of soil it has to move. The Menard’s bit came apart on me in semi-frozen clay-loam soil but did okay throughout the fall. I use a Rigid 20-volt 4-amp drill that gets a lot of sets in before I have to change the battery. I also have a 3-inch auger bit. Using something bigger would move more dirt but drain the battery faster too. Using a 2-inch bit could probably get me 50+ sets a day before a change. My dirt holes average close to 20-inches deep.

I use Home Depot’s brand 18 volt Rigid hammer drill with Papio Creek 2” and 3” augers.

The new brushless rigid 1/2 hammer drill has served me well used it for two seasons of trapping and one whole home remodel and a new fur shed

X2 i remember saving up money to just buy a yoho shovel.

If you're just getting started trapping, you need a million things more than you need a drill and auger.
Agree.
Use a broken section of shovel handle or re-bar stake and pound your dirt hole. Ground will be compacted and not cave in.
Use a common 'pick' to pop out cable stakes (or loosen ground around cable stake before pulling)

This coming season will be my 3rd season...or 4th depending on how you look at it.

I consider that, really just getting started. Unless you are putting in a considerable amount of dirtholes or are under a time constraint one doesn’t really need an auger. But they are handy. I’ve been at it for almost 30yrs and still learn new stuff.

Probably the best to use if beating on it . Lifetime warranty if registered within 30 days of buying.

Does it matter whether if you use a hammer drill or just plain rotary ?

Any suggestions in rocky soil? When the good Lord made my trapping area he only used rocks and clay.

My grandfather used to say he didn't have a single rock on his farm. Yup, they where all married and had big families.

Above is really good advice.
In my neck of the woods I have to think that it would be a wrist breaking or spraining affair considering all the rocks strewn everywhere.
Mac

Top pic worked great last year when used with the rotary hammer drill.
I'm looking forward to using the new one in the bottom pic this coming season

DeWalt, comes with 2 batteries. Life is short. Make sure chuck big enough to accept auger. They are pretty good size.

DeWalt, comes with 2 batteries. Life is short. Make sure chuck big enough to accept auger. They are pretty good size.

I have an 18 volt fuel Milwaukee brushless, with a 3” auger from MTP, works pretty good, but if i could go back I’d buy a driver and an auger from stalker.

I had Dewalt before the Milwaukee and the Fuel is an absolute beast