Re: MN & ND Detecting Laws
MN also fines people for detecting in state forests. For county parks, I guess the sheriffs dept could tell you whether or not it's OK, & the local police for city parks. The people at city & county rec HQ will probably in many cases quote something out of a book, making it sound illegal.
I called St. Paul parks & asked if OK to detect, & they said OK to sweep detector, but no digging. I said is my screwdriver a shovel & they said it also said no disturbing (the grass). They also said I could check with the police, so I did & asked them if I could be fined for detecting in St. Paul parks. They said maybe if I left a big hole that could injure someone & other than that, to use my own judgement.
There have always been laws against damaging property, but most cities don't mind detecting as long as nothing is harmed to the point where it needs fixing. Most detectorists use a screwdriver to pop out shallower coins, & probably something like a Lesche digger (strong but dull knife with 7" blade) & cut a partial circle or square, leaving it connected on 1 side & fold it back, take out coin, return dirt into hole & flip grass back over hole & stomp on grass so hopefully it won't turn brown. Best done when ground is moist.
Any city park that allows detecting would at least allow a screwdriver. Ramsey county parks requires a free permit & Hennepin co parks an expensive permit only good for beaches.
Members in your local club (listed on this site) may also be able to tell you if you can detect a particular place. HH, George (MN)
