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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

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With Federal Grants In Question, Wyoming Wildlife Crossing Projects Are On Hold

With federal grants frozen as the Trump administration combs through federal budgets, some major Wyoming wildlife crossing projects are on hold.

Mark HeinzApril 22, 2025

Protecting the “Path of the Pronghorn” migration route is vital for the Sublette antelope herd, which is a national treasure, a biologist says. Drilling technology could help keep the path clear for Wyoming’s prized pronghorn.

Horizontal Drilling Could Keep Wyoming’s ‘Path Of The Pronghorn’ Clear

Protecting the “Path of the Pronghorn” migration route is vital for the Sublette antelope herd, which is a national treasure, a biologist says. Drilling technology could help keep the path clear for Wyoming’s prized pronghorn.

Mark HeinzApril 22, 2025

Stacy O’Nell caught photos of this extremely rare black fox in Yellowstone National Park, when it made a brief appearance along the roadside last week. The fox’s unusual coloring is probably the result of a condition called melanism, which can cause black skin, fur or feathers in numerous species.

Rare Black Fox Pops Out Along Roadside In Yellowstone

A fox with rare black fur made a brief roadside appearance in Yellowstone National Park last week. The fox’s coloring is probably the result of a condition called melanism.

Mark HeinzApril 21, 2025

With calving and lambing season underway, Wyoming ranchers must fend off predators. Ravens are among the worst, but can’t be shot because they’re a protected species.

Ravens Attack Lambs, But Are Protected In Wyoming, So You Can’t Shoot Them

With calving and lambing season underway, Wyoming ranchers must fend off predators. Ravens are among the worst with their attacks on lambs, but can’t be shot because they’re a protected species.

Mark HeinzApril 20, 2025

A new study from a group that wants grizzlies reintroduced to California claims the state could handle nearly 1,200 bears. Wildlife officials say that’s unrealistic.

Group Wants Nearly 1,200 Grizzlies In California, But Could It Actually Happen?

A new study from a group that wants grizzlies reintroduced to California claims the state could handle nearly 1,200 bears. Wildlife officials say that’s unrealistic.

Mark HeinzApril 19, 2025

The “Path of the Pronghorn,” one of Wyoming’s most-used antelope travel routes, could be designated as an official migration corridor, possibly restricting energy development.

Protecting Wyoming Pronghorn A Balancing Act Of Conservation, Energy Development

The “Path of the Pronghorn,” one of Wyoming’s most-used antelope travel routes, could be designated as an official migration corridor, possibly restricting energy development.

Mark HeinzApril 19, 2025

This mamma black bear was sluggish as she emerged from her hibernation den in Yellowstone National Park on Monday with at least one, and possibly two tiny cubs.

Momma Black Bear, Tiny Cub Caught Crawling Out Of Their Yellowstone Den

Female bears with cubs usually don’t emerge from hibernation until May. But a lucky photographer got photos when one momma black bear was "like a sloth" venturing out of the den early with at least one tiny cub Monday in Yellowstone National Park.

Mark HeinzApril 18, 2025

Limpy, aka Tripod or Chester, is a coyote that lives in the Lamar area of Yellowstone National Park. He tries to sucker tourists out of snacks by looking pathetic along the roadside.

Limpy, Yellowstone’s Infamous Coyote Con Artist, Is At It Again

Limpy the coyote is Yellowstone National Park’s greatest con artist. He hangs out along the roadside, greatly exaggerating a leg injury, hoping to get snacks from soft-hearted tourists.

Mark HeinzApril 17, 2025

Josh Coursey

Prominent Wyoming Mule Deer Advocate Picked To Serve In Trump Administration

Prominent Wyoming wildlife conservationist Josh Coursey has been tapped to serve in President Donald Trump’s administration in a role he can't yet disclose. He joins a number of people with Wyoming ties picked by the administration.

Mark HeinzApril 17, 2025

In the first reported major run-in between a grizzly and a human this year, a man hunting shed antlers in north-central Montana shot and killed a female grizzly bear that he claimed charged him.

Montana Hunter Kills Charging Grizzly In Year’s First Reported Human-Bear Clash

In the first reported major run-in between a grizzly and a human this year, a man hunting shed antlers in north-central Montana shot and killed a female grizzly bear that he says charged him.

Mark HeinzApril 15, 2025

Wolves have been switching from hunting elk to hunting bison in Yellowstone National Park. Hunting bison requires larger wolf packs, as seen in this file photo.

Famous Yellowstone Wolf Pack Hunting Calf Nearly Clobbered By Adult Bison

Yellowstone National Park’s Junction Butte wolf pack failed in a recent attempt to bring down a yearling bison calf. The calf and its mother ran to a group of adult bison, which in turn tried to clobber the wolves.

Mark HeinzApril 15, 2025

There seems to be some confusion over whether it’s legal to won a kangaroo in Wyoming. It is — but you’ll need a special permit, and as mostly outside pets, kangaroos probably couldn’t handle the Wyoming cold. Here, a kangaroo shivers in a rare dusting of snow in Australian winter.

It’s Legal To Own Kangaroos In Wyoming, But They’d Probably Freeze To Death

There seems to be some confusion over whether it’s legal to own a kangaroo in Wyoming. It is — but you’ll need a special permit, and as mostly outside pets, kangaroos probably couldn’t handle the Wyoming cold.

Mark HeinzApril 14, 2025

Other Authors

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

Agencies Tight-Lipped About Second Colorado Wolf Killed In Wyoming

A Wyoming law that protects the identities of wolf hunters seems to be behind an information blackout about the second Colorado wolf killed in Wyoming. That has people in both states frustrated.

Mark HeinzApril 14, 2025

It’s widely assumed that an adult mountain lion kills a deer a week, but some seasoned mountain lion hunters question that. They say the big cats are blamed for killing more deer than they actually do.

Mountain Lions Blamed For Killing More Deer Than They Actually Do, Hunters Say

It’s widely assumed that an adult mountain lion kills a deer a week, but some seasoned mountain lion hunters question that. They say the big cats are blamed for killing more deer than they actually do.

Mark HeinzApril 13, 2025

A series of screenshots from a video by Selah and Bruce Tenney shows a bobcat snatching a hen wild turkey out of mid-air in rural Oregon. The incredible scene won the 2025 Trailcampro video of the year award.

Momma Bobcat Makes Incredible Leap To Snag Turkey Out Of The Air

A trail camera captured a rare wildlife moment in Oregon, where a bobcat was recorded making an incredible leap to snag a wild turkey, mid-air. The video won the Trail Cam Pro 2025 video of the year award.

Mark HeinzApril 12, 2025

A 5-month-old dire wolf created by Colossal Biosciences.

Dire Wolves Would Destroy Everything If Reintroduced In Wyoming, Biologists Say

A bioscience company’s announcement this week that it’s brought back long-extinct dire wolves raised a lot of eyebrows. But they would destroy everything if a breeding population of them were reintroduced in Wyoming, biologists say.

Mark HeinzApril 12, 2025

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

Second Colorado Wolf Reintroduced From Canada Dies In Wyoming

A second wolf that was transplanted from British Columbia, Canada, to Colorado crossed the state line into Wyoming and died here Wednesday, Colorado wildlife officials confirmed Friday.

Mark HeinzApril 12, 2025

A pair of Wyoming grizzlies in the Yellowstone Ecosystem.

52-Year-Old Federally-Led Grizzly Study Team May Be On Chopping Block

A federally-led grizzly bear study team that goes back to 1973 could soon be on the chopping block because of ongoing federal cuts. It’s unclear what that might mean for the future of Wyoming’s grizzlies.

Mark HeinzApril 11, 2025

Department of Homeland Security Secretary and former South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is taking heat this week after pointing a rifle at the head of an ICE agent during a photo op. Wyoming firearms exports say that breaks a major gun safety rule.

Noem’s Rifle Pointing At Agent’s Face Broke Major Safety Rule, Wyoming Experts Say

Department of Homeland Security Secretary and former South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is taking heat this week after pointing a rifle at the head of an ICE agent during a photo op. Wyoming firearms experts say that breaks a major gun safety rule.

Mark HeinzApril 11, 2025

A crowd of Laramie residents turned out Wednesday evening to tell their school board that they don’t want concealed firearms allowed in local schools. The board said there’s no choice, because the Legislature did away with gun-free zones in Wyoming.

Laramie Residents Balk At Guns In Schools, School Board Says There’s No Choice

A crowd of Laramie residents turned out Wednesday evening to tell their school board that they don’t want concealed firearms allowed in local schools. The board said there’s no choice, because the Legislature did away with gun-free zones in Wyoming.

Mark HeinzApril 10, 2025

In 1962, the Air Force ejected a bear named Yogi from a jet bomber going 870 mph at an altitude of 35,000 feet. In hindsight, a retired USAF colonel questions how anyone thought that was a good idea.

USAF Tested Its B-58 Jet Bomber By Ejecting A Bear Named Yogi At 35,000 Feet

In 1962, the Air Force ejected a bear named Yogi from a jet bomber going 870 mph at an altitude of 35,000 feet. In hindsight, a retired USAF colonel questions how anyone thought that was a good idea.

Mark HeinzApril 08, 2025

Blacktail Ponds in Yellowstone can be a bison death trap in the winter as they fall in and can't get out.

Yellowstone’s Blacktail Pond Is A Bison Death Trap, But A Buffet For Bears

The Blacktail Pond area in Yellowstone National Park can be a death trap for bison if they fall through ice or get trapped in muddy water and drown. But for the area's bears, it's a buffet.

Mark HeinzApril 07, 2025

A skunk is caught on a wildlife trail cam stashing pieces of a turkey carcass in a mountain lion's den.

Fearless Skunk Caught Stashing Its Dinner Of Roadkill In Mountain Lion’s Den

Skunks will eat just about anything and they’re fearless, as evidenced by a video of a skunk stashing its dinner of roadkill turkey in a mountain lion’s den.

Mark HeinzApril 07, 2025

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is using a contraption slung under a helicopter to pluck dead trees out of a state park, not unlike “claw machine” arcade games.

Helicopter Plucks Trees From Colorado State Parks Like An Arcade Claw Game

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is using a contraption slung under a helicopter to pluck dead trees out of a state park, not unlike “claw machine” arcade games.

Mark HeinzApril 06, 2025

As Wyoming black bears emerge from hibernation, bear hunters are tempting them in with bait barrels.

When Hunting Black Bears In Wyoming, Don’t Get Mauled By A Hangry Grizzly

After a relatively mild winter, Wyoming hunters are looking forward to spring black bear season. But lots of hangry and irritated grizzlies are out there, too.

Mark HeinzApril 05, 2025

Think you can survive a charging grizzly just because you have bear spray with you? Wyoming Game and Fish’s “Robobear” is an eye-opener, as Cowboy State Daily reporters Clair McFarland and Mark Heinz recently learned.

Think You Can Survive A Charging Grizzly? Take On Wyoming’s ‘Robobear’

Think you can survive a charging grizzly just because you have bear spray with you? Wyoming Game and Fish’s “Robobear” is an eye-opener, as Cowboy State Daily reporters Clair McFarland and Mark Heinz recently learned.

Mark Heinz & Clair McFarlandApril 05, 2025

A pronghorn struggles to move along a section of woven-wire fencing in deep snow in the Green River Basin of western Wyoming. Pronghorn in the Red Desert faced similar obstacles during their escape movements in the winter of 2022-23, contributing to a mass die-off.

During Brutal Winter Die-Off, Antelope Got Lost, Trapped By Fences And Roads

Many of the antelope that froze or starved during the brutal winter of 2022-2023 got lost and died after they hit fences they couldn’t cross, according to a new University of Wyoming-led study.

Mark HeinzApril 04, 2025

A grizzly tries to get intop this trash can.

Grizzly Killed A Man In Yellowstone In 1916, So They Blew It Up With Dynamite

The first documented fatal grizzly attack in Yellowstone National Park was in 1916 by a bear dubbed Old Two Toes. Federal workers responded by blowing the grizzly into oblivion using a garbage barrel booby-trapped with dynamite.

Mark HeinzApril 04, 2025

Laramie firefighter Dylan Schilt was left temporarily paralyzed when a massive stone chimney chase collapsed on him during a house fire call on Feb. 28. He’s been undergoing physical therapy and is determined to make a full recovery.

Laramie Firefighter Crushed In House Fire Determined To Make A Full Recovery

Laramie firefighter Dylan Schilt was left temporarily paralyzed when a massive stone chimney chase collapsed on him and a colleague on Feb. 28. He said Thursday he plans to make a full recovery.

Mark HeinzApril 03, 2025

Adobe town, south of Rock Springs along rough gravel and dirt roads, is one of Wyoming’s most isolated locations.

Sweetwater County Turns To Hageman For Help On BLM Rock Springs Plan

It remains uncertain how the Bureau of Land Management’s plan for 3.6 million acres in south-central Wyoming will pan out. But Sweetwater County officials hope it stays to their liking.

Mark HeinzApril 02, 2025

With the repeal of Wyoming’s gun-free zones, concealed carrying of firearms will be allowed in University of Wyoming buildings starting July 1. It’s already to legal to carry outside on campus grounds.

UW To End Gun-Free Zones July 1 And Allow Concealed Guns Inside Buildings

With the repeal of Wyoming’s gun-free zones, concealed carrying of firearms will be allowed in University of Wyoming buildings starting July 1. It’s already legal to carry outside on campus grounds.

Mark HeinzApril 02, 2025

The city of Rock Springs has contracted with the Wyoming-based Goat-Green LLC company to bring in 300 goats. The goats are gobbling their way through brush and grass that’s clogging up drainages near the city center.

Rock Springs Hires Goat Army To Munch Its Way Through Clogged Canals

Rock Springs has weeds, brush and grass clogging vital drainage canals through the heart of town. An army of 300 goats has been let loose to gobble their way through.

Mark HeinzApril 01, 2025

There’s a dispute over exactly where the boundary line is between land owned by the South Dakota ranchers Heather and Charles Maude and national grassland controlled by the Forest Service. The couple was served federal indictments alleging theft of government property.

Federal Fence Line Fight With Ranchers Is ‘Odd,’ Wyoming Attorney Says

An ongoing fence line fight between a South Dakota ranch family and the U.S. Forest Service has grabbed national attention. It also seems “odd,” says a Wyoming attorney who has handled land disputes.

Mark HeinzMarch 31, 2025

Candida Haasch runs the Warriors of the Rainbow Horse Sanctuary in Missouri and would love to adopt curly-haired mustangs from Wyoming.

Missouri Trainer Wants All The Wyoming Curly-Haired Mustangs She Can Get

A Missouri horse trainer says she’ll take all the curly-haired Wyoming mustangs she can get. She says they’d be perfect for a prisoner-rehabilitation program similar to what the Wyoming Honor Farm has.

Mark HeinzMarch 30, 2025

Sandhill cranes take flight at Wyoming’s Table Mountain wildlife habitat management area.

Thousands Of Cranes Pour Into Wyoming For Spring Migration, Even A Few Whoopers

Sandhill cranes are pouring into Wyoming by the thousands during spring migration. A few rare whooping cranes are showing up too. Many cranes come here to nest and raise their young.

Mark HeinzMarch 29, 2025

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Even In Wyoming, Experts Say Shooting At Someone Stealing Your Stuff Not A Good Idea

It’s best to know what the law says about using a gun to defend yourself, your home and possessions in Wyoming before opening fire, experts say. A Casper man may learn that after unloading at his own truck while a guy was stealing it.

Mark HeinzMarch 29, 2025

Heather and Charles Maude, owners of Maude Hog & Cattle near Caputa, South Dakota, were each served with separate federal indictments over a fence line dispute with the U.S. Forest Service.

Wyoming Ranchers Ask Trump For Help In Family's Fence Line Fight With Feds

Wyoming ranchers have asked President Donald Trump to intervene in their daughter and son-in-law’s property dispute with the U.S. Forest Service in South Dakota.

Mark HeinzMarch 28, 2025

Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis is a backing a bill to lift 90-year-old restrictions on short-barreled rifles and shotguns. A Wyoming firearms law expert agrees, calling the restrictions “silly.”

Lummis Wants End To ‘Silly’ Restrictions On Short-Barreled Rifles, Shotguns

Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis is a backing a bill to lift 90-year-old restrictions on short-barreled rifles and shotguns. A Wyoming firearms law expert agrees, calling the restrictions “silly.”

Mark HeinzMarch 28, 2025

A pack of gray wolves in Yellowstone National Park.

If Feds Delist Wolves Everywhere, Will Colorado’s Reintroduction Program Crash?

A push is underway to get wolves delisted from federal protection across the Lower 48, but it remains unclear how that might affect wolf management policies in Wyoming and Colorado.

Mark HeinzMarch 28, 2025

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