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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.

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Latest from Mark Heinz

Wildlife photographer Trent Sizemore captured video of a grizzly walking past a trail camera on March 13, 2025

Well-Known Bear Likely First Grizzly Caught On Video This Year, Near West Yellowstone 

Photographers believe the grizzly seen ambling past a trail camera on Thursday night in Yellowstone is the same huge male that is often one of the first bears to make an appearance each spring. 

Mark HeinzMarch 14, 2025

Concealed carry 2 5 25

Gun Advocates Praise Study Showing Citizens Stop More Mass Shooters Than Police

Wyoming gun rights advocate Mark Jones told Cowboy State Daily that a new study showing armed citizens stopped more active shootings than police proved Wyoming was right to repeal gun-free zones.

Mark HeinzMarch 14, 2025

Screenshot of Samantha Strable holding a baby wombat in Australia

Australian Prime Minister Blasts Wyoming Outdoors Influencer For Grabbing Baby Wombat 

Australians, including the prime minister, are livid at a Wyoming-based social media influencer, after a video surfaced of her grabbing a baby wombat. Samantha Strable, who has lived in Pinedale, could lose her visa as a result.

Mark HeinzMarch 14, 2025

Kelsey Mitchell, a biologist with the Teton County Weed & Pest District, collects ticks for research. Scientists are looking for volunteers to do the same.

As Ticks Begin To Emerge in Wyoming, Entomologists On Lookout For Two New Species

Wyoming entomologists say ticks are beginning to come out and are warning about two new species that are particularly awful. One carries Lyme disease and the other likes to “chase you down.”

Mark HeinzMarch 12, 2025

A bald eagle riding a dead skunk like a snowboard isn’t something you see everyday, but a woman in Maine got it on video. It also doesn’t surprise raptor experts, because eagles really like to cling to their food.

Bald Eagle Won’t Let Go Of Its Dinner, Turns Roadkill Skunk Into A Snowboard

A bald eagle riding a dead skunk like a snowboard isn’t something you see every day, but a woman in Maine got it on video. It also doesn’t surprise Wyoming raptor experts, because eagles really like to cling to their food.

Mark HeinzMarch 12, 2025

Trees fused together in an “H” shape, with a single huge branch between them, are extremely rare, tree experts say — and perhaps the result of human meddling. This photo from the 1970s shows "H" trees in Idaho.

Trees Fused Together By Common Branch Extremely Rare, Sometimes Helped By Humans

Trees fused together in an “H” shape, with a single huge branch between them, are extremely rare, tree experts say, but they do happen. Horticulturalist Shane Smith told Cowboy State Daily usually there's some degree of human manipulation, but not always.

Mark HeinzMarch 10, 2025

Buildup of dead timber is a concern on National Forests in Wyoming and other Western States. Some forest users hope that under new leadership, the Forest Service will start cleaning it up. Here, large stands of dead trees in the Medicine Bow National Forest in southern Wyoming pose a wildfire risk.

Wyoming National Forest Users Mixed On Big Changes Under Trump

With the U.S. Forest Service undergoing changes in the new Trump administration, people who use those public lands are mixed. One Wyoming user says she’s worried, while another says he’s hopeful to weed out those “just there for a paycheck.”

Mark HeinzMarch 08, 2025

Hunters and trappers in Montana killed 289 wolves last year, and legislators there are pushing for more. But wolf conservation advocates plan to push back.

After 289 Wolves Killed In Montana Last Year, Bills Push For More Hunting

Hunters and trappers in Montana killed 289 wolves last year, and legislators there are pushing for more. One bill would extend hunting and trapping seasons by three months, and another would allow the use of thermal imaging and night vision scopes. 

Mark HeinzMarch 08, 2025

Farmers and ranchers in eastern Laramie County are worried about whether huge data centers springing up in Cheyenne will leave them with enough water for their cattle and crops.

Cheyenne Farmers Worry Huge Data Center Will Suck Up Their Irrigation Water

Farmers and ranchers in eastern Laramie County are worried that a massive Facebook (Meta) data center, along with similar future projects, will suck up the water they need. Cheyenne's mayor reassures them it won't.

Mark HeinzMarch 07, 2025

State Sens. Chris Rothfuss, D-Laramie, left, and Larry Hicks, R-Baggs, successfully argued to restore money for a world-class shooting range near Cody.

Last-Minute Amendment Brings $19.5 Million Shooting Complex Back From The Dead

A $19.5 million Wyoming state shooting complex was declared dead after the Legislature refused to pitch in $10 million in state funds. A last-ditch amendment revived the project Thursday on the last day of the 2025 legislative session.

Mark HeinzMarch 07, 2025

Otters are no longer classified as a protected species in Wyoming, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be getting killed anytime soon, according to Game and Fish officials.

Wyoming Otters No Longer Protected, But Won’t Get Slaughtered

Otters are no longer classified as a protected species in Wyoming, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be getting killed anytime soon, according to Game and Fish officials.

Mark HeinzMarch 06, 2025

A rabbit species called Omiltemi cottontail thought to be extinct for 120 years was recently found in Mexico, mirroring the rediscovery of black-footed ferrets near Meeteetse, Wyoming, in 1981.

Rediscovery Of ‘Extinct’ Rabbit Mirrors Finding Wyoming Black-Footed Ferrets

A rabbit species thought to be extinct for 120 years was recently found in Mexico, mirroring the rediscovery of black-footed ferrets near Meeteetse, Wyoming, in 1981.

Mark HeinzMarch 05, 2025

Other Authors

A “clean-kill” predator law prompted by the high-profile torture of a wolf leads a list of new Wyoming wildlife laws. This 2025 session also saw new regulations for fishing guides and dogs caught in traps.

Wolf Torture Leads List Of New High-Profile Wyoming Wildlife Laws

A “clean-kill” predator law prompted by the high-profile torture of a wolf leads a list of new Wyoming wildlife rules. This 2025 session also saw new regulations for fishing guides and dogs caught in traps.

Mark HeinzMarch 05, 2025

Wyoming needs to kick its timber cutting into high gear or risk another catastrophic wildfire season, foresters told the Legislature on Tuesday. The danger is especially high in the Black Hills region, they say. Above, Wyoming State Forester Kelly Norris, left, and U.S. Forest Service regional forester Troy Heithecker testify for legislators.

Wyoming Can’t Cut Trees Fast Or Soon Enough, Timber Industry Says

Wyoming needs to kick its timber cutting into high gear or risk another catastrophic wildfire season, foresters told the Legislature on Tuesday. The danger is especially high in the Black Hills region, they say.

Mark HeinzMarch 04, 2025

Dylan Schilt with his four brothers in a Colorado hospital after Schilt, a Laramie firefighter, was hurt when a burning house collapsed on him.

Laramie Firefighter Paralyzed After Being Crushed In House Fire Collapse

A Laramie firefighter is facing a long rehabilitation after being paralyzed when a stone fireplace chase collapsed on him while fighting a house fire late Friday. His father told Cowboy State Daily that doctors believe his spinal cord is still intact.

Mark HeinzMarch 03, 2025

Nate Miller of Thermopolis has hunted numerous Wyoming species – such as elk and wolves. But he never dreamed he’d draw the state’s “super tag trifecta,” which will allow him to hunt three premier trophy game species this fall. He said elk is is favorite, but he's excited for some other tags he's never had before.

Wyoming Hunter Beats Huge Odds, Draws ‘Super Tag Trifecta’ To Hunt 3 Species

Nate Miller of Thermopolis put in for Wyoming’s Super Tag hunting tag raffle, not expecting to win anything. He beat astronomical odds to drew the most coveted prize of all, the three-species “trifecta” tag.

Mark HeinzMarch 01, 2025

With its pending elimination of gun-free zones, Wyoming will join New Hampshire, Alabama, Oregon and Utah in allowing people to carry concealed firearm in public school, without requiring the schools’ permission.

Wyoming Is Fifth State To Allow Guns In Public Schools Without Special Permission

With its pending elimination of gun-free zones, Wyoming will join New Hampshire, Alabama, Oregon and Utah in allowing people to carry concealed firearm in public school — without requiring the schools’ permission.

Mark HeinzFebruary 28, 2025

Plans for a huge, world-class shooting complex on this tract of land near Cody, Wyoming, are in limbo. A $10 million allocation for the $19.5 million projecrt was cut when the Legislature decided not to approve a suplemental budget this year. An effort to tag the money onto a nother bill failed, with some like Sen. Chris Rothfus, left, saying the money wasn't supposed to be approved that way. Othes like Sen. Stephan Pappas, right, saying the money's allready been approved.

Plans For $19.5M Wyoming Shooting Complex Stall As Senate Pulls Promised $10M

Boosters of a $19.5 million shooting complex south of Cody, Wyoming, hoped to start construction in April. Those hopes were dashed Friday when the state Senate declined to release $10 million in promised money for the project.

Mark HeinzFebruary 28, 2025

Mountain lions are known for their long, thick tails, but experts are baffled over somebody cutting the tail off a mountain lion that might have been killed illegally in Montana.

Nobody Can Figure Out Why Someone Cut Off And Took Mountain Lion’s Tail

Investigators are baffled by the case of somebody killing a mountain lion in Montana, and then cutting off and taking the animal’s head and tail. Taking a head makes sense, officials say, but the tail is baffling.

Mark HeinzFebruary 27, 2025

A snowmobile chases a wolf across a snowy landscape in Canada.

Anti-Wolf Torture Bill Clears The Legislature, Headed To Gordon’s Desk

A bill calling for possible felony charges against people who torture predators cleared the Legislature on Wednesday and is headed to Gov. Mark Gordon’s desk.

Mark HeinzFebruary 27, 2025

Randy Moore and Island Lake in Bridger Teton National Forest 2 26 25

Forest Service Chief’s Departure Fine By Us, Says Wyoming Delegation

Wyoming’s congressional delegation say they’re just fine with Wednesday’s surprise announcement that U.S. Forest Service chief Randy Moore is quitting. Rep. Harriet Hageman said it was welcome news as he mismanaged the agency.

Sean Barry & Mark HeinzFebruary 27, 2025

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