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
How Out-Of-State Hunters Get Their Game Meat Back Home
Hunters who come from all over the country for Wyoming’s legendary big game face a quandary — how to get all that meat back home. The solutions are varied, but rarely cheap.
Mark HeinzSeptember 29, 2024
The Adventures Of Chester, A Runaway Packhorse In The Wilds Of Wyoming
Chester is a huge roan packhorse from Utah that disappeared for five nights in the remote wilds of Wyoming and was found on a country road in Bondurant last week. He survived in bear and wolf country, but his adventures will remain a mystery.
Mark HeinzSeptember 29, 2024
Wisconsin Duck Hunter Claims He Killed Wolf In Self Defense; Case Under Investigation
A Wisconsin duck hunter said he was surrounded by a pack of aggressive wolves and shot one in self-defense. Unlike in Wyoming, wolves remain federally protected in Wisconsin and can’t be hunted. The man says he's confident he'll be cleared.
Mark HeinzSeptember 28, 2024
Now 4 Grizzlies Have Drowned In A Canal Near Cody; Advocates Say Bear Ladders Needed
When grizzlies enter the canal, they find out too late that they can’t climb back out of the concrete lining, so they become exhausted and eventually drown. A former federal ecologist and bear advocate says installing ladders on both sides would prevent that from happening.
Mark HeinzSeptember 28, 2024
New One-Room Schoolhouse Opens In Wyoming’s “Little Siberia”
It took six years of wrangling with the courts and lobbying the Wyoming Legislature, but finally a new one-room schoolhouse has opened in an area two hours north of Laramie so remote ranchers call it "Little Siberia."
Mark HeinzSeptember 28, 2024
Hunter Who Survived Wyoming Grizzly Attack Says “It Felt Like A Freight Train”
An archery hunter from Georgia attacked by a Wyoming grizzly Thursday says “it felt like a freight train” had hit him. He told Cowboy State Daily he “saw nothing but her head and her white teeth coming right at me.”
Mark HeinzSeptember 27, 2024
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