Are battery operated ice augers able to be used in the BWCA?

NO

No they are not allowed. You will need to use an ice chisel or hand ice auger.

Nope.
A good hand Auger with a brand new blade will get the job done.

I've got to assume it falls into the mechanical advantage area like a sail on a canoe. I can use a battery in my Humminbird Helix 5 sonar with no issues but not in an auger.

I really wish we could use them though. I use my Milwaukee M18 Fuel drill and a Kdrill auger and it would be awesome to have it in the BWCA.

nofish: "I've got to assume it falls into the mechanical advantage area like a sail on a canoe. I can use a battery in my Humminbird Helix 5 sonar with no issues but not in an auger.


I really wish we could use them though. I use my Milwaukee M18 Fuel drill and a Kdrill auger and it would be awesome to have it in the BWCA.


"

we use lots of batteries in the wilderness. It’s about the motor in a drill. It’s brushless and electric powered but still a motor. Definitely a mechanical advantage.

If you can get a Nils auger. They are crazy expensive new, but they cut thru the ice like no other drill out there. I can probably drill 3 or more 8" holes vs 1 with my old strike master 7" with the same effort. Check there web site out. Sometime you can find them used for a great deal also.

Did not realize this. So was the rule created so that mechanical devices can't provide a unique advantage? I guess I always thought the threat was noise pollution and liquid pollution (gas, oil etc.)?

CityFisher74: "...So was the rule created so that mechanical devices can't provide a unique advantage?..."

Yes. Same reason that they ban boats with fixed sails. My IonX auger is battery powered, but it still makes more noise than I would want to hear in the wilderness.

Mike200a: "If you can get a Nils auger. They are crazy expensive new, but they cut thru the ice like no other drill out there. I can probably drill 3 or more 8" holes vs 1 with my old strike master 7" with the same effort. Check there web site out. Sometime you can find them used for a great deal also. "

I own a 6 inch and a 8 inch Nils and the 6 inch I think I could almost keep up with a gas powered augar. The 8 inch I could cut holes all day in 24-30 inch ice if blades sharp. They are by far the best. Most years by end of January or sooner you will have a tough time finding one to buy.

Its a great rule and you have to draw the line someplace.

I couldn't agree more about purchasing a nils. Yes they are spendy but they are worth it in my opinion. When you are not in the BWCA pair it with the M18 fuel drill and you have a top of the line power auger. I think there are a few different styles and I would recommend the one with the orange blade as it made to directly connect to a drill and you don't need an adapter.