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
Wyoming Animal Rescue Adopts Massive 2,500-Pound Draft Horses
Patricia Wyer of Cheyenne has rescued many small animals through her Broken Bandit Wildlife Center. Recently, she started also fostering massive 2,500-pound draft horses.
Mark HeinzMarch 09, 2024
Will Gordon Sign Or Veto Bill Eliminating Wyoming’s Gun-Free Zones?
A bill that would eliminate Wyoming’s gun-free zones is on Gov. Mark Gordon’s desk. Opinions in the Legislature are mixed on whether he’ll sign it, veto it or simply let it pass into law without a signature.
Mark HeinzMarch 09, 2024
Only A Veto By Gov. Gordon Can Keep Wyoming’s Gun-Free Zones
A bill to eliminate Wyoming’s gun-free zones easily passed its final vote before the state’s Senate Thursday, 28-8, and is headed to Gov. Mark Gordon’s desk where only his veto can stop it from becoming law.
Mark HeinzMarch 08, 2024
New Fishing Pond Could Make Cheyenne A Bass, Bluegill Hotspot
A new 2-acre fishing pond in Cheyenne could become a hotspot for anglers going for bluegill and bass.
Mark HeinzMarch 07, 2024
Resurrected Gun-Free Zones Bill Advances, With Guns In Dorms And Hospitals Still OK
A bill that would eliminate Wyoming’s gun-free zones passed its second reading before the state Senate on Wednesday and is one vote away from heading to Gov. Mark Gordon’s desk.
Mark HeinzMarch 06, 2024
Bears Start Waking Up In Wyoming In March, But Not Much Activity Yet
March is usually when Wyoming’s bears start emerging from their winter dens, but some frontline bear observers say there’s little evidence of them so far. But, not for long...
Mark HeinzMarch 05, 2024
Wyoming State Senate Committee Kills Bill Eliminating Gun-Free Zones
After passionate testimony on both sides, the Wyoming Senate Judiciary Committee late Monday evening rejected a bill that would have eliminated the state’s gun-free zones by a 3-2 margin. In stark contrast, the House passed the bill 57-4.
Mark HeinzMarch 05, 2024
Each Wyoming School District Could Get $10,000 To Store Guns, Train Staff
A bill moved to the Wyoming House floor Monday would give school districts $10,000 each to safely store firearms in schools, and also help pay to train staff how to use them.
Mark HeinzMarch 05, 2024
Bill To Ban Tracking Of Wyoming Gun, Ammo Sales Heads To House Floor
Speaking in support of a bill that would ban the tracking of gun and ammo sales, Sen. Anthony Bouchard said "everything you buy is tracked and data is sold. The problem is on the gun side, that data could be used for nefarious purposes.”
Mark HeinzMarch 04, 2024
Wild Horse Advocates Outraged Over 6-Month Old Removed From McCullough Peaks Herd
Wild horse advocates are seething at the BLM over a six-month old foal named Thora being taken from the McCullough Peaks Herd. "They’re still nursing, they still need to be with their moms,” mustang advocate Angelique Rea of Thermopolis said.
Mark HeinzMarch 02, 2024
‘No-Brainer’: Bill To Restore Concealed Carry For Some Felons Passes Easily
A bill to restore the rights of non-violent felons to concealed firearms permits was described as “awesome” and a "no-brainer" by members of both parties in a Legislative committee that passed it Friday.
Mark HeinzMarch 01, 2024
Game And Fish: Two-Thirds Of Prized Wyoming Mule Deer Herd Killed Last Winter
Last year’s catastrophic winter killed nearly two-thirds of one of Wyoming’s premier mule deer herds, according to a new Game and Fish report released Thursday.
Mark HeinzMarch 01, 2024
Bill To Reintroduce Bighorns In Remote Wyoming Sails Thru Committee
Despite some opposition, a bill that could clear a path toward bighorn sheep reintroduction in remote central Wyoming sailed through a committee Thursday on its way to the state House floor.
Mark HeinzMarch 01, 2024
Colorado Wolves Likely To Cross Into Wyoming Within Weeks Where They Can Be Shot
Some of Colorado’s wolves have been pushing north, toward the Wyoming state line. It's likely just a matter of weeks before some cross over into Wyoming, where they can be shot on sight.
Mark HeinzFebruary 29, 2024
Wardens Seek Wolf Poacher Near Yellowstone Just Across Wyoming Border
Montana game wardens are looking for a poacher who illegally shot a wolf in the Gardiner area just north of the Wyoming border near Yellowstone National Park.
Mark HeinzFebruary 28, 2024
Only Two Wyoming House Republicans Opposed Bill To Eliminate Gun-Free Zones
A bill to eliminate gun-free zones passed by a massive 54 - 7 margin on Tuesday with only two Republicans voting against it. One said he opposed it because a school district should have the right to decide while another wouldn't return calls or emails to explain his position.
Mark HeinzFebruary 28, 2024
House Votes To Eliminate Wyoming’s Gun-Free Zones
A bill that would eliminate gun-free zones in Wyoming schools and some other public places was passed by the state House by a wide margin Tuesday.
Mark HeinzFebruary 28, 2024
Bill To Promote Wyoming’s ‘Other’ Outdoor Rec Options Sails Through
Bill to help Wyoming could become hot destinations for outdoor recreation outside major draws sails through Senate committee Tuesday.
Mark HeinzFebruary 27, 2024
Bill To Stop Credit Card Tracking Of Gun Sales In Wyoming Advances
A bill to ban credit card companies from tracking firearms purchases in Wyoming was passed by the state Senate on Friday. It could prevent what amounts to a federal gun registry, supporters say.
Mark HeinzFebruary 26, 2024
Ask Cowboy State Daily: Can I Eat A Wolf? Wyoming Chefs Respond
It’s legal to shoot wolves on sight in most of Wyoming, which raised the question with a Cowboy State Daily reader: "What if I shoot a wolf and want to eat it?" We talked to some Wyoming chefs about it.
Mark HeinzFebruary 26, 2024
Rare ‘Frankendeer’ Crossbreeding No Threat To Wyoming Mule Deer
Mule deer-whitetail “frankendeer” hybrids are extremely rare, but not unheard of in Wyoming. They generally aren’t good survivors, and crossbreeding isn’t an imminent threat to prized mule deer populations.
Mark HeinzFebruary 24, 2024