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
Wyomingites Could Concealed Carry In All 50 States Under Bills Trump Favors
Wyomingites might be able to carry concealed firearms in all 50 states, if Trump-backed legislation passes Congress. A pair of bills making their way through Congress would make concealed carry permits valid in all states.
Mark HeinzFebruary 04, 2025
Like Wolves, Wyoming’s Stray Cats Aren’t Protected From Torture
Wyoming’s stray cats could end up benefiting from a push to protect wolves from torture. Like wolves, they’re considered predators, and some advocate for controlling their numbers through spaying or neutering rather than shooting them.
Mark HeinzFebruary 02, 2025
Apparently, Few Knew It’s Illegal To Blast Wyoming Prairie Dogs From A Vehicle
A Casper-area man said it took him by surprise to learn that shooting prairie dogs from a vehicle is illegal. Another avid hunter said he also didn’t know because it’s such a common practice in Wyoming.
Mark HeinzFebruary 01, 2025
Lobbyist: Tracking Sales Part Of ESG Scheme To Put Gun Stores Out Of Business
A Second Amendment advocate says Wyoming’s law against tracking credit card sales of guns and ammunition is “weak” and plays into an ESG scheme to put gun stores out of business. He also says it could put people at risk of getting on a federal registry.
Mark HeinzJanuary 31, 2025
Less Than A Year After Dog Named Jester Died In Trap, Trapping Reform Moves Forward
A tearful Becky Barber of Afton, Wyoming, testified for a state Senate committee about how her dog Jester had his throat crushed by a beaver trap last February. She was among those supporting a trapping reform bill, which unanimously passed.
Mark HeinzJanuary 30, 2025
Legislators Say They Want To Protect Real Service Animals, Not “Fluffy Dog” Pets
A bill passed by a Senate committee Wednesday says people should be allowed to train their service dogs in public in Wyoming. It also calls for severe penalties for those who want allowances for their “fluffy dog” pets.
Mark HeinzJanuary 30, 2025
Open Season On Wyoming Mountain Lions Would Be Overkill, Hunters Say
A proponent of an open season on mountain lions says a bill allowing year-round hunting would save Wyoming’s prized mule deer. But some mountain lion hunters argue it could wipe out the big cats.
Mark HeinzJanuary 29, 2025
Bill Would Reverse Ban On Shooting Prairie Dogs From Your Truck
A Wyoming man told legislators that he and his friends were flabbergasted when a game warden confronted them about illegally shooting prairie dogs from a pickup. A House committee voted Tuesday for a bill that would make that legal.
Mark HeinzJanuary 29, 2025
Some Say Legislative Response To Wyoming Wolf Torture Doesn’t Go Far Enough
Lawmakers unanimously advanced a bill that would outlaw torturing wolves and other predators Tuesday. But some Wyomingites say running animals over with snowmobiles should also be banned.
Mark HeinzJanuary 29, 2025
Bill To Split Whitetail-Mule Deer Season Dies On Senate Floor
After another round of debate over whether to split hunting seasons for Wyoming’s white-tailed deer and mule deer, the latest effort to do so died on the Senate floor Monday.
Mark HeinzJanuary 28, 2025
Casper Turkeys Wear Out Their Welcome: 145 Removed So Far Through Trapping Program
If a trap-and-release program succeeds, Casper will no longer be wild turkey central. So far, 145 of the big, obnoxious birds have been caught and released back into the wild.
Mark HeinzJanuary 27, 2025
Allowing Landowners To Sell Hunting Tags Would Make Wyoming Wildlife Sport For The Rich, Opponents Say
A proposal to allow landowners to sell their hunting tags would make hunting in Wyoming the sport of kings, opponents say. It would amount to “nothing more than the exploitation and monetization of our wildlife resources," said Muley Fanatics Foundation CEO Josh Coursey.
Mark HeinzJanuary 27, 2025
With Trump Back In Office, Hageman Says Grizzly Delisting Back On The Table
Congresswoman Harriet Hageman and others say there’s a much better chance grizzlies will be delisted from endangered status with President Trump back in office. His pick for Interior secretary says “I’m with you” on delisting.
Mark HeinzJanuary 25, 2025
Wyoming Shooters Say They Don’t Support Eliminating Sales Tax On Guns, Ammo
A proposal to eliminate sales tax on guns and ammo in Wyoming is a nice gesture, some sportsmen say, but cutting taxes across the board would be better.
Mark HeinzJanuary 25, 2025
Bills Could Help Wyoming's Image After Wolf Abuse, Say Retired Wildlife Officers
In response to the abuse of a wolf near Daniel last year, Wyoming aims to outlaw allowing animals to suffer. Some retired wildlife officers say the state's image is still tarnished, and that running wolves down with snowmobiles should also be banned.
Mark HeinzJanuary 25, 2025
More Than Just Fishing Guides May Need To Be Regulated, Legislators Say
A bill calling for more regulation of fishing guides in Wyoming prompted a broader discussion about whether all forms of outdoor recreation need more oversight here -- including rock climbers, mountain bikers and others, legislators said Thursday.
Mark HeinzJanuary 24, 2025
Killing A Mouse In Your Truck Can Get You A Year In Jail In Wyoming
A Wyoming legislator wants to close some loopholes in Wyoming wildlife laws. That includes eliminating one that technically could get someone a year in jail and fined $10,000 for killing a mouse inside a vehicle.
Mark HeinzJanuary 24, 2025
Inspired By ‘Little Siberia’ Schoolhouse, Support Grows For Rural Wyoming Schools
After the success of a one-room schoolhouse in remote north Albany County, Wyoming is poised for more across the state. A bill to create more rural schools passed the House Education Committee unanimously Wednesday.
Mark HeinzJanuary 23, 2025
Hageman Blasts Feds For “Weaponized” Intimidation Of Ranch Family Over Fence
Harriet Hageman is calling out federal officials for an armed federal agent in tactical gear showing up on a South Dakota ranch over a fence line dispute. She condemns the “weaponized” response and wants the feds to explain themselves.
Mark HeinzJanuary 22, 2025
Bill To Split Whitetail And Mule Deer Seasons Passes, But Some Hunters Not Sold
A bill that will split whitetail and mule deer seasons passed out of a legislative committee Tuesday. But some Wyoming hunters say that won’t help.
Mark HeinzJanuary 22, 2025
Bill Aims To Stop Wyoming’s Prime Trout Waters Getting Mobbed By Out-Of-Staters
Wyoming’s prime trout fishing spots are getting mobbed by out-of-staters. Backers of a bill said Tuesday it could stop that by restricting the number of boats allowed on prime sections of the state’s rivers.
Mark HeinzJanuary 21, 2025