Mark Heinz
Mark Heinz covers the outdoors and wildlife for Cowboy State Daily.
He previously worked or freelanced for numerous newspapers and magazines across Wyoming, Idaho and Montana, covering all manner of news and feature stories. He has a strong background in topics related to wildlife, hunting, and wildlands conservation. He's written extensively since the 1990s about the controversies surrounding wolves, grizzly bears and mustangs.
He also enjoys people-centric stories with quirky edge of humor and has written several such pieces for Cowboy State Daily.
Mark lives in Laramie with his wife, Kendy, and the youngest of their five children.
Latest from Mark Heinz
Four Trophy Bull Elk Illegally Killed, Colorado Poachers Could Face Lifetime Bans
In a poaching case that one wildlife official said is the worst he’s ever seen, four trophy-sized bull elk were shot and left to rot in southern Colorado in one of the state’s most prized hunting areas. Offenders could face lifetime hunting bans if caught.
Mark HeinzOctober 16, 2025
Two Idaho Hunters Killed In Two Days Highlights Dangers Of Unsafe Hunting
The accidental shooting deaths of two Idaho hunters in the past week highlights the dangers of unsafe hunting, say Wyoming outdoorsmen. It's also a reminder to be extra careful with more hunters out looking for game every season.
Mark HeinzOctober 15, 2025
Yellowstone Guide Loves The Backcountry, Where His Mules Chase Grizzlies Away
A Yellowstone outfitter and guide loves exploring the most remote places in the national park. His horses and mules not only are hardy companions, they gang up to chase away interloping grizzlies.
Mark HeinzOctober 14, 2025
Four Moose Killed By Drivers In Grand Teton, Including Famed Bull 'Elk Antler'
Four moose, including famed bull “Elk Antler,” were killed by speeding drivers in Grand Teton National Park over the past couple of weeks. Authorities say increasing traffic is to blame as "shoulder seasons" are much busier than they used to be.
Mark HeinzOctober 13, 2025
Wyoming Hunter Shoots Ram With Well-Known Horn Mutation In Famous Herd Near Lovell
A Sheridan man waited 45 years to draw a bighorn sheep tag and ended up shooting a ram with a rare horn mutation, a trademark of famous herd on the Moss Ranch near Lovell.
Mark HeinzOctober 12, 2025
One-Legged Laramie Hunter Bags Antelope, Plans To Build Prosthetic Rifle Rest
Despite just getting a new prosthetic leg, Randy Svalina of Laramie went on a solo antelope hunt last week and got his buck. He and his doctor are now discussing designing the prosthetic to double as a hunting rifle rest.
Mark HeinzOctober 12, 2025
Rock Springs Woman Bags Massive Mule Deer Dubbed ‘Gray Ghost’
Rock Springs hunter Lori Dickinson said she feels blessed by how everything fell into place, giving her the opportunity to shoot a mule deer that could turn out to be one of the top monster bucks of the 2025 hunting season.
Mark HeinzOctober 11, 2025
Squatters, BASE Jumpers Flood Yosemite During Shutdown, No Chaos At Yellowstone
During the government shutdown, Yosemite National Park has been invaded by squatters and adrenaline junkies, illegally parachuting off El Capitan. Tour guides told Cowboy State Daily that Grand Teton and Yellowstone haven’t slid into chaos.
Mark HeinzOctober 11, 2025
Wyoming, Other States Must Settle Colorado River Water Fight Or Feds Will Step In
With rising tensions over a dwindling supply of water from the Colorado River, Wyoming and six other states have until Nov. 11 to hammer out a deal for water allocation or the federal government will step in and settle it for them.
Mark HeinzOctober 10, 2025
Counting Dead Elk And Bison Carcasses Was A Real Job In Yellowstone
Over the course of 47 winters in Yellowstone, Jeff Henry has seen incredible changes. He can recall back when so many winter-killed bison and elk carcasses littered the basins near Old Faithful, counting them was his and other peoples' full-time job.
Mark HeinzOctober 10, 2025
Montana Hunters, Lawmakers Say Wolves Aren't Being Killed Fast Enough, File Lawsuit
Some Montana lawmakers and sportsmen claim that state’s wolf hunting regulations are too restrictive and won’t let them kill the wolves fast enough. They say unless regulations are loosened they won't be able to hit the kill quota of 452 wolves.
Mark HeinzOctober 09, 2025
Eastern States Go Digital With Electronic Deer Tags, Wyoming Sticks With Paper
A digital revolution in deer hunting is sweeping Eastern states with hunters being given the option to report their kills, and even “tag” deer electronically. Wyoming is likely to stick with the traditional paper route for now.
Mark HeinzOctober 08, 2025
83-Year-Old Basin Woman Bags Elk And Packs It Out By Noon On Opening Day
Take that, Father Time! At 83-years-old Neda Herman, from Basin, Wyoming, shot her elk on opening day. By noon, she quartered the elk with her son and packed it out.
Mark HeinzOctober 06, 2025
It's The Rut And Wyoming Pronghorn Bucks Are Battling To Build Their Harems
Right now for pronghorn bucks in Wyoming, it's like closing time at the bar. They're hot and heavy and looking for action to build a harem. When they’re not fighting off rival males, they keep an eye out for fickle does who may be looking for a better suitor.
Mark HeinzOctober 05, 2025
After Siblings Cannibalized, Grizzly 1063’s Last Cub Faces First Winter Alone
After its two siblings were cannibalized by a male bear earlier this year, the last surviving cub of famed Grand Teton Grizzly 1063 separated from its mom unusually early. The cub, named Miracle by fans, is still surviving and facing its first winter alone.
Mark HeinzOctober 03, 2025
Llamas Save Hunters The Backbreaking Task Of Packing Elk Out Of Remote Mountains
Llamas have a reputation for being ornery and spitting on people, but they’re also perfectly suited to Wyoming’s remote mountains. More hunters are renting the hardy critters to save them the backbreaking chore of packing out elk.
Mark HeinzOctober 03, 2025
Backcountry Bikers Rescue Exhausted, Nearly Naked Hiker Lost In Idaho Wilderness
A woman who was lost for three days, without shoes, in the remote mountains of central Idaho was rescued by three mountain bikers who just happened to find her. The woman was nearly naked because she wrapped her clothes around her feet to walk.
Mark HeinzOctober 03, 2025
Here We Go Again: Controversial BLM Rock Springs Plan Reopened For Public Comment
The Bureau of Land Management’s controversial plan for managing millions of acres in southwest Wyoming is again open for public comment. A Wyoming legislator said he’s confident that federal officials will get it right this time.
Mark HeinzOctober 02, 2025
Famed Wyoming Photographer Looks Back On 25-Year Friendship With Jane Goodall
Famed Wyoming wildlife photographer Tom Mangelsen said his close friend, iconic British primatologist Jane Goodall, was driven in her mission, but charming enough to connect with all sorts of people. Goodall died Wednesday at age 91.
Mark HeinzOctober 02, 2025
Wyoming Hunter Calls Bull Moose To Within 10 Feet To Experience ‘Pure Rush’
A Wyoming hunter called in a bull moose to within 10 feet of where he stood while hunting elk Tuesday. The hunter said he experienced a “pure rush,” and was safe because he was behind a tree. “I’m brave, but I’m not an idiot,” he said.
Mark HeinzOctober 01, 2025
Baiting Elk With Salt Licks Was Once OK Wyoming, But Is Now Illegal
Baiting big game with corn, salt licks and other treats is illegal and frowned upon as unethical across the West. But it didn’t used to be, and was once standard practice in Wyoming. It’s still allowed in other places, such as Texas.
Mark HeinzSeptember 30, 2025