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MH
Outdoors Reporter

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.

Find Mark Heinz

Latest from Mark Heinz

Japan’s brown bears are essentially the same species as Wyoming’s grizzlies. This mother and cub were skinny because the late-summer pink salmon run they were waiting for was late.

Japan Calls Out The Military To Help Stop Surge In Bear Attacks

Japan for years has had a problem with bear attacks, but lately it’s gotten so bad the military was deployed to help protect people from getting mauled and killed.

Mark HeinzNovember 07, 2025

Cows belonging to Sheridan-area rancher Dan Reinke wear solar-powered electronic collars as part of a “virtual fencing” system. Such systems could replace physical livestock fences in some places.

Wyoming Cows Go High-Tech With Electronic Collars And ‘Virtual Fencing’

Cows across Wyoming might soon be corralled by electronic collars that vibrate to tell them where to go, or shock them when they stray. It’s called “virtual fencing.”

Mark HeinzNovember 05, 2025

A Florida county sheriff’s office has what they say is the nation's first search and recovery otter for finding bodies underwater. A Wyoming sheriff’s office is “not counting out” the possibility of using a recovery otter.

Florida Sheriff Trains Nation's First Search And Recovery Otter

A Florida county sheriff’s office has what they say is the nation's first search and recovery otter for finding bodies underwater. A Wyoming sheriff’s office is “not counting out” the possibility of using a recovery otter.

Mark HeinzNovember 05, 2025

Of the roadkill in Wyoming each year, about 85% are deer.

Time Change And Rut Season Make Wyoming Highways Deadly For Deer

The number of deer getting hit on America’s highways jumps significantly when daylight saving time ends and the sun sets sooner. In Wyoming, bucks being in the rut (mating season) makes matters even worse.

Mark HeinzNovember 04, 2025

Most of the firearms and ammunition tax revenue for wildlife conservation is coming from non-hunting sport shooters. Anti-hunters are trying to leverage that, but Wyoming shooters say it won’t work here.

Will Firearms, Ammo Taxes Become Wedge Between Hunters, Sports Shooters?

Most of the firearms and ammunition tax revenue for wildlife conservation is coming from non-hunting sports shooters. Anti-hunters are trying to leverage that, but Wyoming shooters say it won’t work here.

Mark HeinzNovember 03, 2025

Some states are now allowing hunters to use drones for locating animals, and others are considering it. That doesn't sit well with Buffalo's Mark Jones, a national director for Gun Owners of America. "Technology is ruining what hunting was meant to be," he said.

Looking For Wounded Deer With Drones Blurs Ethical Lines, Hunters Say

Some states are now allowing hunters to use drones for locating animals, and others are considering it. That doesn't sit well with Buffalo's Mark Jones, a national director for Gun Owners of America. "Technology is ruining what hunting was meant to be," he said.

Mark HeinzNovember 02, 2025

Fall is a great time to fish on the North Platte River near Casper, with cooler weather, clear water and thinner crowds.

Fall Not Just For Hunting: Wyoming Anglers Say It’s The Best Time For Fishing

Wyoming outdoors enthusiasts are obsessed with hunting during the fall, but anglers say it’s also the best time of year to go fishing.

Mark HeinzOctober 31, 2025

An Buffalo, Wyoming-area elk hunter claims that he and others are denied hunting opportunities by a landowner hoarding the herd by deliberately driving elk away from public land, like in this file photo of Wyoming elk on winter range.

Hunters Claim Wyoming Landowner Hoards Elk By Driving Them Away From Public Land

An Buffalo, Wyoming-area elk hunter claims that he and others are denied hunting opportunities by a landowner hoarding the herd by deliberately driving elk away from public land.

Mark HeinzOctober 31, 2025

A barred owl, inset, with a group of spotted owls.

Federal Plan To Massacre Nearly 500,000 Owls To Save Other Owls Is Back On Track

The U.S. Senate cleared the way Wednesday for wildlife agents to kill nearly 500,000 barred owls to save spotted owls in the Pacific Northwest. Meanwhile, barred owls could be moving in on native great gray owls in Wyoming.

Mark HeinzOctober 31, 2025

Wyoming hunters say it’s unfair when big game hunting tags in some areas all go to landowners. A legislative committee advanced a bill Wednesday that could cap landowner tag allocations at 40% under some circumstances.

Committee OK's Bill To Cap Landowner Hunting Tags, Leaving More For Public

Wyoming hunters say it’s unfair when big game hunting tags in some areas all go to landowners. A legislative committee advanced a bill Wednesday that could cap landowner tag allocations at 40% under some circumstances.

Mark HeinzOctober 29, 2025

After an eight-year investigation, 10 people have been busted, accused of faking Wyoming residency to get hunting tags in a Sweetwater County scam. Wyoming Game and Fish announced the violations Monday.

After 8-Year Investigation, Hunters Busted Faking Wyoming Residency To Get Tags

After an eight-year investigation, 10 people have been busted, accused of faking Wyoming residency to get hunting tags in a Sweetwater County scam. Wyoming Game and Fish announced the violations Monday.

Mark HeinzOctober 28, 2025

A pack of wolves were the primary consumers of a bull elk carcass near Togwotee Pass.

Death Feeds Life: Cameras Capture Wolves, Other Critters Picking Elk Carcass Clean

A wildlife filmmaker set up his cameras shortly after a bull elk died near Togwotee Pass. The video captured the different animals which moved in to feed on the carcass over a six week period and offers a rare view of how death feeds life in Wyoming.

Mark HeinzOctober 28, 2025

Other Authors

Master bladesmith Audra Draper of Riverton specializes in making knives. She also makes other metal products, such as this trivet, forged from an old horseshoe.

Riverton Master Bladesmith Forges Beauty And Function Into Every Knife

Audra Draper of Riverton is a master bladesmith who forges knives that blend art and utility. The first woman to earn the master title from the American Bladesmith Society, she’s kept her craft — and business — burning for decades.

Mark HeinzOctober 26, 2025

As hibernation season starts for Wyoming’s grizzlies, don’t take for granted that the bears are out of the woods. Biologists say some bears can stay out and active into December.

It's Almost Hibernation Time For Bears, But Biologists Say Don’t Let Your Guard Down

As October wanes, it’s time for Wyoming’s grizzlies to start settling into their winter dens for hibernation. But, biologists say don’t assume it’s all clear to hike without worrying about bears. Some will be out for at least another month.

Mark HeinzOctober 26, 2025

In 1948, Idaho Fish and Game loaded beavers into wooden crates, attached to parachutes. They were loaded onto planes and air dropped into the remote wilderness.

That Time Idaho Parachuted 76 Beavers Into Remote Wilderness

In 1948, Idaho wildlife officials had a beaver problem — too many in lowland areas, where they were becoming a nuisance, but a remote high-mountain area had none. So, they parachuted 76 beavers into the remote wilderness, where they still thrive.

Mark HeinzOctober 25, 2025

One of 10 wolves reintroduced to northern Colorado in December 2023.

Brian Nesvik To Colorado: No More Wolves From Canada Allowed

By bringing in wolves from Canada, Colorado might have violated an agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. That needs to stop, agency Director Brian Nesvik says in a letter to Colorado officials.

Mark HeinzOctober 24, 2025

A grizzly bit into Celia Easton’s boot and pulled it off her foot during an encounter in the Beathtooth Mountains of Wyoming.

Grizzly Bites Off Hunter’s Boot In Wild Wyoming Showdown

It was the closest of calls. A grizzly charged a Wyoming woman who was elk hunting near Cody, biting into her rubber boot and pulling it off her foot.

Mark HeinzOctober 24, 2025

Dottie, a young shorthaired Australian Shepard, was bitten in the head and carried of by a mountain lion on her owners’ property near Newcastle.

Dog Survives After Mountain Lion Snatches Her By The Head Near Newcastle

An Australian shepherd named Dottie is alive at home after a mountain lion snatched her by the head and tried to carry her off Sunday. Her owners say more lions have been showing up around their Newcastle, Wyoming, property lately.

Mark HeinzOctober 22, 2025

A hunter shot and killed a male grizzly bear in self-defense early Saturday in the Island Park area south of Yellowstone National Park, marking the third year in a row for such incidents.

Hunter Shoots, Kills Grizzly With Rifle In Self-Defense South Of Yellowstone

A hunter shot and killed a male grizzly bear in self-defense early Saturday in the Island Park area south of Yellowstone National Park, marking the third year in a row for such incidents.

Mark HeinzOctober 21, 2025

Using a Google-AI search for duck hunting season dates landed some Idaho hunters in trouble as the search gave them the wrong dates. An experienced Wyoming hunter said relying on AI for reliable information is a “crapshoot” at best.

Artificial Intelligence Fools Hunters Into Shooting Ducks On The Wrong Day

Using a Google-AI search for duck hunting season dates landed some Idaho hunters in trouble as the search gave them the wrong dates. An experienced Wyoming hunter said relying on AI for reliable information is a “crapshoot” at best.

Mark HeinzOctober 21, 2025

Garments with built-in concealed carry handgun holsters are nothing new, but they’ve become more popular lately, with Wyoming eliminating gun-free zones, and a push nationwide for concealed carry permits. This canvas vest made by Venado has multiple holsters.

‘Concealed Carry’ Fashion Includes Vests And Workout Shorts With Pistol Holsters

Concealed carry clothing, with built-in pistol holsters and pouches for ammunition magazines, could be one of the fastest-growing fashion niches. Wyoming tactical experts, however, said although it could be viable for some, the clothing has drawbacks that can make it impractical. 

Mark HeinzOctober 18, 2025

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