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
Gordon Vetoes Bill To Repeal Gun-Free Zones In Wyoming
Gun rights advocates were furious after hearing that Gov. Mark Gordon vetoed a bill late Friday that would have repealed Wyoming’s gun-free zones. “Gordon broke a written campaign promise that he made to gun owners. Gordon is a liar,” a Wyoming Gun Owners spokesman said.
Mark HeinzMarch 23, 2024
Stumbling Upon Newborn Bear Cubs & Stopping To Take Photos Not A Good Strategy
A shed antler hunter In Virginia thought he heard cries of a wounded rabbit, but discovered a pair of newborn black bear cubs. Luckily he didn't get his head ripped off when he stopped to take photos. The better strategy is to leave immediately.
Mark HeinzMarch 22, 2024
Wyoming Could Be Next To Restrict Wolf Trapping Because Of Grizzlies
Following a similar ruling in Montana, wolf trapping in Idaho was restricted Tuesday over concern that grizzly bears could get caught in wolf traps. Wyomingites are worried it could happen here.
Mark HeinzMarch 21, 2024
Wyoming’s 2nd Chick-fil-A Opens To Long Lines At University Of Wyoming
Long lines and huge crowds awaited the opening of the second Chick-fil-A in the state of Wyoming. The grand opening at the University of Wyoming was attended by hundreds of people and the Chick-fil-A cow mascot, who was urging customers to buy more chicken.
Mark HeinzMarch 21, 2024
Yellowstone’s "Limpy The Coyote" Now Teaching Other Critters To Beg
Limpy the Coyote, Yellowstone's best-known animal con artist, is teaching other critters how to beg tourists for food. Wildlife observers say other coyotes have been picking up on the scam and following Limpy’s lead.
Mark HeinzMarch 20, 2024
Hundreds Protest, Testify Against So-Called ‘Assault Weapons Ban’ In Colorado
With the so-called “assault weapons ban” bill before the Colorado Legislature, hundreds of gun rights supporters protested at state Capitol in Denver on Tuesday. One of the organizers was Dudley Brown, a Gillette native and president of the National Association for Gun Rights.
Mark HeinzMarch 19, 2024
Was An Evanston Couple Cornered By Wolves, Or Dogs?
An Evanston couple said they were terrified late Monday while out walking their dogs when they were cornered by three vicious canines that they suspect were wolves.
Mark HeinzMarch 19, 2024
Lawsuit Threatened To Re-List Wyoming Wolves As Endangered Species
A coalition of environmental groups announced they are planning to sue the federal government to get wolves reilisted as endangered in Wyoming. But Wyoming conservationists scoffed at the news stating these groups are attempting to weaponize the court system.
Mark HeinzMarch 18, 2024
Wyoming Elk, Antelope Adapt Better To Housing, Energy Developments Than Mule Deer
As housing and energy development continues in Wyoming, elk and antelope are more likely to adapt to avoid humans. Mule deer on the other hand are too stubborn to move and will keep their migration routes.
Mark HeinzMarch 18, 2024
‘Son Of A Poacher’ Recalls Wyoming Game Warden’s Career With Book Series
Though his father was a poacher, Scott Werbelow of Meeteetse grew up to have a 30-year career as a Wyoming game warden, and is writing a series of books about his experiences.
Mark HeinzMarch 17, 2024
Blind Fox, Bobcats And ‘Stinkerbell’ The Skunk Share A Home At Wyoming Rescue
The goal of the Broken Bandit Wildlife Center east of Cheyenne is to rehab wildlife and return them to the wild. But when disabilities don't allow that, like the blind fox named 'Vixen,' they’ll live out the rest of their lives on the property.
Mark HeinzMarch 16, 2024
Sheridan Joins Running For $10M Wyoming Shooting Complex
Competition for which Wyoming community will be the site of a sprawling, multimillion-dollar shooting complex just got more intense with Sheridan joining the running with eight others.
Mark HeinzMarch 15, 2024
Whatever Happened With Delisting Wyoming’s Grizzlies?
A year ago, Gov Mark Gordon’s office announced that he had struck a deal with the Fish and Wildlife Service that would very likely get grizzlies delisted within a year. But nothing has changed.
Mark HeinzMarch 15, 2024
Will Gordon Keep Campaign Promise To Sign Repeal Of Gun-Free Zones?
Then-candidate Mark Gordon promised in a Wyoming Gun Owners survey during his 2018 campaign that he’d sign legislation to eliminate gun-free zones in Wyoming. Now that bill is on his desk.
Mark HeinzMarch 14, 2024
Iconic Deer Haven Lodge Near Ten Sleep Reopens
After months of hard work new owners reopened the storied Deer Haven Lodge near Ten Sleep on Thursday. The lodge, which dates back to 1917, has long been a beloved getaway for Wyoming residents and visitors.
Mark HeinzMarch 14, 2024
Montana Man, 80, Pleads Guilty To Creating Giant Mutant Hybrid Bighorns
A Montana man pleaded guilty on Tuesday to federal charges stemming from his creation of giant mutant hybrid bighorn sheep. Wyoming biologists said they don’t want weird mutant hybrid species here.
Mark HeinzMarch 13, 2024
Here Come The Bears: First Grizzlies Of The Season Spotted In Yellowstone
Yellowstone’s first grizzlies of the season have emerged from hibernation, including a pair of male grizzlies that quickly devoured a bison carcass that some coyotes had hoped to get. As for Grizzly 399, she usually wakes up in May.
Mark HeinzMarch 13, 2024
Eight Communities Competing For $10 Million Wyoming Shooting Complex
There are eight communities vying to be the home of a $10 million world-class shooting complex in Wyoming. Locations include: Campbell County, Natrona County, Park County, Cheyenne, Fremont County, Hot Springs County, Uinta County and Guernsey.
Mark HeinzMarch 12, 2024
How Do Coyotes Compete Against Bears & Wolves In Yellowstone? It Ain't Easy.
A Yellowstone National Park wildlife tech has studied how coyotes eke out a hard living competing with grizzlies and wolves, the park’s apex predators. It often means munching on voles and, for brave coyotes, nipping at wolves.
Mark HeinzMarch 12, 2024
Central Wyoming Bighorn Reintroduction All But Certain, Ranchers Still Not Happy
A bill that could pave the way for bighorn sheep to return to Wyoming’s remote Sweetwater Rocks area passed the Legislature, but some are worried the feds or anti-grazing advocates could use bighorns as leverage to push ranchers out.
Mark HeinzMarch 11, 2024
Iconic Laramie 90-Foot-Tall ‘Boat Church’ To Be Demolished
Laramie’s “Boat Church," which opened in 1968, towers 90 feet tall. But acoustically, it's always been terrible. When it first opened it had a 7-second echo. Plus, it's falling apart. So, it's scheduled to be demolished next week.
Mark HeinzMarch 09, 2024