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
Hunter Attacked, Severely Bitten By Grizzly In Western Wyoming
A 31-year-old archery hunter from Georgia was attacked by a grizzly early Thursday in Wyoming’s Upper Green River Valley. He suffered severe bite wounds to his thigh before shooting the bear dead with his handgun in self-defense.
Mark HeinzSeptember 26, 2024
In Anticipation Of Grizzly Delisting, Montana Tracks How Many Grizzles Died, And Why
As Montana looks forward to grizzlies possibly being delisted, the state is tracking how bears there die and why. With 2,000 bears, Montana has by far the most grizzlies in the Lower 48.
Mark HeinzSeptember 25, 2024
Even After Pack Removed, Wolves Killing Colorado Cattle, More Coming From Canada
Even after removing a pack of wolves in northern Colorado, cattle are still getting killed by the predators. Meanwhile, that state’s controversial introduction program continues with more wolves coming from Canada.
Mark HeinzSeptember 24, 2024
Grizzly 399 And Huge Cub Have Been “Elusive,” But Not Feared Dead Or Missing
Grizzly 399, Wyoming’s most beloved wildlife celebrity, and her huge cub Spirit have been “elusive” lately. But those who have closely followed her for years aren’t worried, at least not yet.
Mark HeinzSeptember 23, 2024
The ‘Squallet’ Was Conceived In Wyoming; Its Makers Love Coming Back For Elk Hunts
The idea for 'squallets' — wallets made from dead squirrels — was conceived in Wyoming. Now it's a profitable business and the inventors, from Omaha, love coming back to the Cowboy State for elk hunts. They had their last successful hunt in Wyoming last weekend.
Mark HeinzSeptember 22, 2024
Looking For A 1947 Snow-Thrower Truck? McKim’s In West Laramie Has It, And Many Other ‘Oddball’ Items
All manner of “oddball” things passes through Gary McKim’s sales shop in Laramie. Still, he can’t seem to sell a 1966 Ford Ranchero – which he said is a lesson in “don’t drink and bid” at auto auctions.
Mark HeinzSeptember 22, 2024
Casper Man’s Elk Hunt From Hell: Broken Bones, Chopper Rescue And Grizzly Attack
A Casper man’s elk hunt in the Wyoming wilderness turned into the hunt from hell, including a broken leg, grizzly attack and runaway horses. But everybody made it out alive.
Mark HeinzSeptember 20, 2024
Chuck Gray Says As A Gun-Free Zone, Wyoming Capitol A “Soft Target”
As a gun-free zone, the Wyoming Capitol and adjacent government buildings are “soft targets,” Secretary of State Chuck Gray said Thursday. He testified for a legislative committee in favor of repealing Wyoming’s gun-free zones.
Mark HeinzSeptember 20, 2024
For Grizzly Defense Handguns, Hunters Prefers Magnum Revolvers Or 10 mm Pistols
Opinions vary on what’s the best handgun to carry for grizzly defense in Wyoming. Magnum-caliber revolvers and 10 mm semiautomatic pistols seem to be the most popular with hunters.
Mark HeinzSeptember 19, 2024
Hunters Can Go After White-Tailed Deer On Elk Refuge Near Jackson
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department wants hunters to shoot more white-tailed deer in the Jackson area. That’s where whitetails compete with coveted mule deer herds.
Mark HeinzSeptember 19, 2024
Purple Heart Army Vet Thrilled To Get Coveted Wyoming Elk Hunt
Chris Clemmens of Georgia is a decorated Army combat veteran who loves Wyoming. He's thrilled about an upcoming elk hunt here through a program that donates hunting tags to veterans.
Mark HeinzSeptember 18, 2024
Rock Springs Loves Steve, A Mule Deer With Gnarled Antlers And Missing A Hoof
There’s a reason folks in Rock Springs, Wyoming, love a resident deer they call Steve the Survivor. With gnarled antlers and missing a hoof, Steve is “a symbol of perseverance,” says one local fan.
Mark HeinzSeptember 17, 2024
Rocky Mountain Grizzlies Keep Getting Shot By Bowhunters With Handguns
So far this archery hunting season, three grizzly bears have been shot — and two killed — by bowhunters wielding handguns in self-defense. Wildlife observers and hunters believe conflicts will escalate because of the popularity of bowhunting and the increasing numbers of bears.
Mark HeinzSeptember 17, 2024
With $2.7 Million In Donations, $28 Million Wildlife Crossing Near Dubois Closer To Reality
A much-anticipated wildlife crossing near Dubois is closer to reality now than $2.7 million has been raised in private donations. Hundreds of mule deer are killed each year on U.S. Highway 26. Construction on the $28 million project will begin in 2027.
Mark HeinzSeptember 17, 2024
It’s A Wonder More People Don’t Get Stomped By Estes Park’s Urban Elk
Estes Park, Colorado, is essentially an urban elk preserve. Locals love the huge herd of elk that takes over the town a couple times a year, but resent tourists acting like idiots and getting too close.
Mark HeinzSeptember 16, 2024
Dying Pennsylvania Man’s Wish Was A Wyoming Elk And Deer Hunt For His Daughter
Dying from cancer, one of a Pennsylvania man’s last wishes was a first Wyoming elk and deer hunt for his 14-year-old daughter. Thanks to a Gillette-area Airbnb owner and outfitter, they got that dream hunt.
Mark HeinzSeptember 15, 2024
Videographer Catches Hoback, Teton Park’s Famously Huge Moose, Shedding Velvet
It took her six years, but a West Yellowstone photographer finally captured video of Hoback the moose shedding his antler velvet. Hoback is well-known, among wildlife photographers, as one of the largest bull moose in Grand Teton National Park.
Mark HeinzSeptember 14, 2024
Draws Of A Lifetime: Powell Boys Get Sheep, Mountain Goat Tags On 1st, 2nd Tries
Some Wyoming hunters try for decades to draw hunting tags for bighorn sheep or mountain goats and still don’t get one. A pair of Powell farm boy had draws of a lifetime, each getting one — one on his first try and the other his second.
Mark HeinzSeptember 13, 2024
Wyoming Delegation Will Not Support Snowmobiles Aren’t Weapons Act
Wyoming’s congressional delegation on Thursday said they do not support a bill that would prohibit killing wolves with snowmobiles. Further, they said states that don’t have snowmobiling should say out of the West’s business.
Mark HeinzSeptember 12, 2024
Wyoming Bowhunter Bags Big Buck With Napping Toddler On His Back
Wheatland bowhunter Ryder Seely stalked and shot a big mule deer buck Wednesday. He couldn't find a babysitter when the daycare was unexpectedly closed, so he did it with his sleeping 1-year-old daughter on his back.
Mark HeinzSeptember 12, 2024
Activists Push For National Ban On Running Down Wolves With Snowmobiles
In a case of a hot-button issue making strange political bedfellows, conservative firebrand Mat Gaetz is joining Democrats to push a national ban on running wolves and other predators down with snowmobiles.
Mark HeinzSeptember 11, 2024