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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
‘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
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