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
Dog Killed In Beaver Trap Could Heat Up Debate For Wyoming Trapping Reform
An Afton woman whose dog was killed in a beaver trap is pushing for trapping reform in Wyoming. But a trapper argues the changes would do more harm than good.
Mark HeinzOctober 19, 2024
Serious Health Conditions Don’t Stop Kids From Hunting Wyoming Big Game
Kaden Achor might not be able to walk because of cerebral palsy, but that didn’t stop him from stalking a big Wyoming bull elk. He crawled the last 75 yards or so across rough ground between Farson and Lander, trying his best to dodge prairie cactus. Then he had to pull off a 500-yard shot.
Mark HeinzOctober 19, 2024
If Feds De-List Wolves, Will Other States Follow Wyoming’s Lead And Hunt Them?
The Fish & Wildlife Service is trying to remove federal protection for wolves across the Lower 48. If that happens, it would be up to the states whether to allow wolves to be hunted. Hunting is already allowed in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.
Mark HeinzOctober 18, 2024
Montana Man’s Death First Thought To Be Grizzly Mauling, Now Suspected Murder
A grizzly attack was initially suspected in the death of a Montana man found dead in his tent Saturday. But on Wednesday, authorities announced they’re now investigating it as a murder.
Mark HeinzOctober 17, 2024
Opponents Say Proposed Colorado Mountain Lion Hunting Ban Is “Ballot-Box Biology”
Colorado voters on Nov. 5 will decide a proposed ban on mountain lion hunting. The ballot question has sparked a debate over what opponents call managing wildlife through “ballot-box biology.”
Mark HeinzOctober 16, 2024
Spry Wyoming Doe Has Burn Marks To Prove She Outran Huge Elk Fire
A Sheridan-area resident said a mule deer doe showed up on his property bearing burn marks from having outrun the massive, fast-moving Elk Fire. The fire has burned more than 92,000 acres across the face of the Wyoming Bighorns.
Mark HeinzOctober 16, 2024
Forest Service Won't Blow Up Dead Horses Due To Fire Danger
When a horse dies in the Wyoming backcountry, sometimes the best option is to blow it to pieces so it won’t attract grizzlies. In Wyoming right now, the U.S. Forest Service says the fire danger is too extreme to explode any dead backcountry horses.
Mark HeinzOctober 15, 2024
Gang Of Raccoons Mobs Woman In Casper Hotel Parking Lot
A woman was mobbed by raccoons in a Casper hotel parking lot Sunday. A hotel employee said raccoons frequent the area, but don’t usually gang up on people.
Mark HeinzOctober 15, 2024
Mountain Lions Gobble Up Pets And Four Goats In Story, Wyoming
Mountain lions are killing pets and livestock, including four goats, in and around the tiny Wyoming mountain town of Story. An area houndsman has stepped in to help chase the lions out.
Mark HeinzOctober 14, 2024
Group Of Horses May Have Been Left Homeless By Wyoming Wildfires
The owner of an animal rescue facility east of Cheyenne wants the previous owners of a mare, her foal, and another mare that's pregnant to know that the animals are safe and will be well-cared for. She wonders if they were forced to sell because of the wildfires.
Mark HeinzOctober 13, 2024
Casper Man Says Climbing A Tree Saved Him From Grizzly Attack
A Casper man says he’s living proof that climbing a tree can help someone survive a grizzly attack because he did it in the 1970s when a bear charged him. He says his two black Labs played a big role too as they kept the mama grizzly and her two cubs busy while they waited it out.
Mark HeinzOctober 13, 2024
Wyoming Hunters And Gun Owners Buck National Trend Of Not Voting
Nationwide apathy and distrust of government has caused a drop in hunters and gun owners registering to vote, reports Vote4America. But not in Wyoming, where hunters and gun owners buck that trend, likely because they feel supported by conservatives.
Mark HeinzOctober 11, 2024
The Hardest Part Of Making Jackalopes? Finding Enough Frozen Wyoming Jackrabbits
A Montana taxidermist who creates jackalope mounts says Wyoming jackrabbit carcasses are the best for them. But he’s having a hard time getting the 200-300 frozen carcasses a month he needs.
Mark HeinzOctober 11, 2024
Wyoming Dog’s Death In Beaver Trap Inspires New Training Course
A Wyoming dog’s death in a beaver trap has inspired a first-of-its-kind training course for dogs. A trainer who already teaches dogs to avoid rattlesnakes and other dangers has added traps to the program.
Mark HeinzOctober 10, 2024
Gloriously Plump Mama Crowned Queen Of ‘Fat Bear Week’
Alaska brown bears gorge themselves on salmon for the upcoming winter, oblivious they’re competing for a coveted title — Fat Bear Week champion. This year’s winner is Grazer, a bulked-out bruin that ate her way to back-to-back titles.
Mark HeinzOctober 09, 2024
Mob Of 100 Hungry Raccoons Drives Woman From Her Home
After 100 raccoons invaded a Washington woman’s property and drove her from her home, things could end badly for the raccoons. Wyoming wildlife experts say it’s a lesson on why you shouldn’t feed wild animals.
Mark HeinzOctober 09, 2024
Wyoming Search And Rescue Team Recovers Body From Remote Colorado Peak
After Colorado teams twice tried to recover a man’s body from a remote mountain peak, Teton County Search and Rescue recovered his remains last week. The Wyoming team had the right equipment and training to help bring closure for his family.
Mark HeinzOctober 08, 2024
Climbing A Tree To Escape A Grizzly Not The Best Idea, Outdoorsmen Say
In yet another conflict between a hunter and grizzly bears, a Montana man tried climbing a tree to escape one Saturday. It didn’t work. Grizzlies can climb too, and the hunter had to shoot the bear.
Mark HeinzOctober 08, 2024
Black Bear With Cubs Killed After Breaking Into Colorado Home
A black bear with three cubs broke into a Colorado couple’s home, attacked and injured a man. Game agents killed all four bears.
Mark HeinzOctober 08, 2024
Why Wyoming Jackrabbits Are “Predatory” Animals, On Par With Coyotes And Wolves
In Wyoming, Jackrabbits are classified as “predatory” animals, on par with coyotes and wolves in about 85% of the state. It’s not because they kill livestock, but because they can devastate crops.
Mark HeinzOctober 07, 2024
Huge Wildfire Is Hammering ‘Elk Factory’ In Bighorns, Ruins This Year’s Hunting
The massive 73,000-acre Elk Fire near Dayton, Wyoming, has all but ruined the elk and deer hunting season in some premier areas. It's hammering the "elk factory" that is the Bighorns.
Mark HeinzOctober 07, 2024