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
Bipartisan Outrage Over New York Killing Social Media Star Peanut The Squirrel
New York’s killing of social media star Peanut the Squirrel has drawn outrage from liberals and conservatives across the country. Critics say the backlash shows government overreach is out of control.
Mark HeinzNovember 04, 2024
Good Business: National Outdoor Apparel Company Sends Handwritten Note About Hunting
Why would a Seattle couple who own a popular outdoor clothing company take the time to send handwritten notes to customers? It's good business. When a Wyoming customer purchased a couple shirts, they mentioned how they eloped on a hunting trip in Baggs, Wyoming.
Mark HeinzNovember 04, 2024
Despite Chronic Pain, Sheridan Woman Continues To Mentor Hunters
Sheridan resident Teri Smith was nearly killed in a head-on collision in 2001 and has suffered chronic pain since. That hasn’t stopped her from hunting and mentoring others.
Mark HeinzNovember 03, 2024
Wyoming Ranchers, Hageman Slam Mandatory Electronic Cattle ID Tags
Rep. Harriet Hageman and Wyoming ranchers are slamming a new federal rule mandating electronic ID ear tags for cattle. The new rule requiring the switch is effective Tuesday.
Mark HeinzNovember 01, 2024
115-Year-Old LaPrele Dam Close To Failure, Will Be Breached
The aging 115-year-old LaPrele Dam southwest of Douglas is in danger of catastrophic failure, so it will be preemptively breached, state officials confirmed Friday. Whether it will be rebuilt is a question for the Legislature.
Mark HeinzNovember 01, 2024
Grizzly 399 Cremated, Ashes Scattered In Pilgrim Creek Area Of Grand Teton Park
Final closure to the story of Grizzly 399 came Friday when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced she had been cremated. The ashes of the world’s most famous bear were scatted in the Pilgrim Creek area of Grand Teton National Park.
Mark HeinzNovember 01, 2024
Oregon Has Close Call With Chronic Wasting Disease From Infected Wyoming Deer
Oregon had a close call with chronic wasting disease when hunters from that state brought home two infected Wyoming deer carcasses.
Mark HeinzOctober 31, 2024
399 Fans Say Taxidermy Would Insult World Famous Bear’s Legacy
However the world remembers Wyoming’s beloved Grizzly 399, some of her most devoted fans say a full-body taxidermy mount of her in a museum isn’t the way to do it.
Mark HeinzOctober 31, 2024
Tiny, Stubborn Idaho Bear Cub Makes 120-Mile Trek To Gorge On Apples
A tiny black bear cub braved a 120-mile trek through some of Idaho’s most remote and rugged backcountry to gorge on somebody's backyard apples.
Mark HeinzOctober 30, 2024
Speed Limit Unlikely To Change Because Of Grizzly 399's Death
The death of Wyoming’s beloved Grizzly 399 has some calling for lower speed limits where the accident happened. But Wyoming transportation officials say one bear death — even Grizzly 399 — isn’t likely to prompt lowering the speed limit.
Mark HeinzOctober 30, 2024
Haunted Wyoming: Laramie Plains Civic Center Is Old, Huge And Haunted (Maybe)
Built in the 1870s, the Laramie Plains Civic Center is one of Wyoming’s oldest buildings, and it exudes energy. Whether the huge 167,000-square-foot former school is haunted is a matter of belief. Some say definitely yes, others aren’t convinced.
Mark Heinz & Reilly StrandOctober 29, 2024
Electric Fence To Keep Grizzlies Out Installed At Popular Wyoming Corn Maze
As grizzly bears expand their range, corn fields are too much for some hungry bears to resist. That’s why a popular corn maze near Clark, Wyoming, is surrounded by a five-strand electric fence.
Mark HeinzOctober 28, 2024
Will Grizzly 399 Be Stuffed And Displayed Like Grizzly 104?
Before the reign of Grizzly 399, Grizzly 104 was Wyoming’s most famous bear, and there was worldwide heartbreak when she was struck and killed by a vehicle in 2001. She’s been stuffed and is on display at a Cody museum.
Mark HeinzOctober 28, 2024
Spirit, Grizzly 399’s Huge Cub, Has “High Chances” Of Survival Without Mom
Wildlife biologists say Grizzly 399's yearling cub, Spirit, has a "high chance of survival" even after the death of its mother. They think, even though it's not two years old yet, it will have the instinct to find a suitable den.
Mark Heinz & Greg JohnsonOctober 23, 2024
Wyoming And The World Hit Hard By Death Of World’s Most Famous Bear, Grizzly 399
The long reign of the “Queen of the Tetons” came to an end late Tuesday, when Grizzly 399 was struck and killed by a vehicle south of Jackson. “Horrible news. She made it all the way to 28, only to get killed by a car," said wildlife photographer Jorn Vangoidtsenhoven.
Mark HeinzOctober 23, 2024
Dog Killed In Beaver Trap Could Heat Up Debate For Wyoming Trapping Reform
An Afton woman whose dog was killed in a beaver trap is pushing for trapping reform in Wyoming. But a trapper argues the changes would do more harm than good.
Mark HeinzOctober 19, 2024
Serious Health Conditions Don’t Stop Kids From Hunting Wyoming Big Game
Kaden Achor might not be able to walk because of cerebral palsy, but that didn’t stop him from stalking a big Wyoming bull elk. He crawled the last 75 yards or so across rough ground between Farson and Lander, trying his best to dodge prairie cactus. Then he had to pull off a 500-yard shot.
Mark HeinzOctober 19, 2024
If Feds De-List Wolves, Will Other States Follow Wyoming’s Lead And Hunt Them?
The Fish & Wildlife Service is trying to remove federal protection for wolves across the Lower 48. If that happens, it would be up to the states whether to allow wolves to be hunted. Hunting is already allowed in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.
Mark HeinzOctober 18, 2024
Montana Man’s Death First Thought To Be Grizzly Mauling, Now Suspected Murder
A grizzly attack was initially suspected in the death of a Montana man found dead in his tent Saturday. But on Wednesday, authorities announced they’re now investigating it as a murder.
Mark HeinzOctober 17, 2024
Opponents Say Proposed Colorado Mountain Lion Hunting Ban Is “Ballot-Box Biology”
Colorado voters on Nov. 5 will decide a proposed ban on mountain lion hunting. The ballot question has sparked a debate over what opponents call managing wildlife through “ballot-box biology.”
Mark HeinzOctober 16, 2024
Spry Wyoming Doe Has Burn Marks To Prove She Outran Huge Elk Fire
A Sheridan-area resident said a mule deer doe showed up on his property bearing burn marks from having outrun the massive, fast-moving Elk Fire. The fire has burned more than 92,000 acres across the face of the Wyoming Bighorns.
Mark HeinzOctober 16, 2024