thinking of getting one. what size and who makes a good one, lots of rocks around here!

You get what you pay for. I trap mostly in sand so I got a cheep one at Harbor Freight for about $140.00 and it is still going great.

I bought one from Rich Kasper several years ago. It was supposed to be used in a battery operated drill. I welded a handle on it to be twisted by hand. It works pretty good but I use my little shovel more often than not

Papio Creek Trapping Supplies makes a good auger bit (of many sizes) for battery operated drills. Heavy duty and american made by Shane Claeys. Drill of your choice but DeWalt and Milwaukee seam to be the most popular ones. I have both a hand operated 40" one from the 80's with a 2", 3" and 4" diam bits and a battery operated one with 1", 4" and 6" diam. bits. Easier on this old man's shoulders and back in tough soil...................... the mike

Ditto what Mike said. I’ve had mine from Papio for about 4 years and I just touch it up with a file each year and go. Works great!

Cheap is $140?? For sand??
Bought a $29 one that’s going on 2 seasons now, lol.

Stihl gas auger, same as Jimmy Pierce, NC's yote whisperer, uses in his demos and daily tools!
Go big n easy or go home.

I don't know how big of a hole you want to make. But I have a 2" wood bit that must be 100 years old and a few swipes with the file and I'm good to go.
I always figured a 2" hole was big enough. It's not the size of the hole It's what's in the hole that counts. If I want a big flashy hole I just drag out the post hole digger.

BT-45 Stihl earth auger with 4 inch bit Like the one own Clint Locklear's youtube video's

When working in heavy,rocky ground, pulse the trigger.Don't hold it down in a death grip.Sometimes the auger bit can get caught between two rocks and a powerful drill can give your wrist quite a twist if you can't get off the trigger quickly.The side handle is worth using in those conditions.

I got a 1 1/2" and a 3" augers bit for my drill.
And 80% of the time i use the 1 1/2 (i get more holes out of the small one) big bit sure uses up the battery charge.
I do have 2 batteries and bring the charger with me.
I got a few places that have power by corrals or water tanks.

Papio creek here too, a 2 and 3” one

mousey, for 140.00 you can buy half of any harbor freight store!
i have a dewalt 20 volt hammerdrill with 6amp batteries, plus a 110 outlet in the truck for the charger. should be good in that aspect.

My guess is Mousey's auger is gas powered for $140. Stihl BT-45 is $400-500 retail.

I have some old braces with 1" wood augers from ice and frozen ground, holes in a tree (Thorpes bobcat set) only go in the bag in winter. After Christmas it is a foot long 1/2 inch mason bit for MN soil. Rare do I dirt hole then, but pre-drill holes for Super Stakes all the time in the "Lynx Zone".

I too use RK's 2" on my Milwaukee drill and agree with Taximan on using the side handle, and the low speed setting. I could see a wrist injury easily happening on a rock or root.

IMO a hammer drill would do better that a regular drill.

If the soil is easy, I go 18" down and put the bait in the bottom. I find myself using two holes when using the electric drill if I want lure in the hole. IMO that improves foot movement.

Yes, it is a gas auger and it's still running after 12 years and the shelter that I stay in when I'm trapping, has no running water or electricity either.

I use the double fluted from PCS and love 'em!