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
Riverton Master Bladesmith Forges Beauty And Function Into Every Knife
Audra Draper of Riverton is a master bladesmith who forges knives that blend art and utility. The first woman to earn the master title from the American Bladesmith Society, she’s kept her craft — and business — burning for decades.
Mark HeinzOctober 26, 2025
It's Almost Hibernation Time For Bears, But Biologists Say Don’t Let Your Guard Down
As October wanes, it’s time for Wyoming’s grizzlies to start settling into their winter dens for hibernation. But, biologists say don’t assume it’s all clear to hike without worrying about bears. Some will be out for at least another month.
Mark HeinzOctober 26, 2025
That Time Idaho Parachuted 76 Beavers Into Remote Wilderness
In 1948, Idaho wildlife officials had a beaver problem — too many in lowland areas, where they were becoming a nuisance, but a remote high-mountain area had none. So, they parachuted 76 beavers into the remote wilderness, where they still thrive.
Mark HeinzOctober 25, 2025
Brian Nesvik To Colorado: No More Wolves From Canada Allowed
By bringing in wolves from Canada, Colorado might have violated an agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. That needs to stop, agency Director Brian Nesvik says in a letter to Colorado officials.
Mark HeinzOctober 24, 2025
Grizzly Bites Off Hunter’s Boot In Wild Wyoming Showdown
It was the closest of calls. A grizzly charged a Wyoming woman who was elk hunting near Cody, biting into her rubber boot and pulling it off her foot.
Mark HeinzOctober 24, 2025
Dog Survives After Mountain Lion Snatches Her By The Head Near Newcastle
An Australian shepherd named Dottie is alive at home after a mountain lion snatched her by the head and tried to carry her off Sunday. Her owners say more lions have been showing up around their Newcastle, Wyoming, property lately.
Mark HeinzOctober 22, 2025
Hunter Shoots, Kills Grizzly With Rifle In Self-Defense South Of Yellowstone
A hunter shot and killed a male grizzly bear in self-defense early Saturday in the Island Park area south of Yellowstone National Park, marking the third year in a row for such incidents.
Mark HeinzOctober 21, 2025
Artificial Intelligence Fools Hunters Into Shooting Ducks On The Wrong Day
Using a Google-AI search for duck hunting season dates landed some Idaho hunters in trouble as the search gave them the wrong dates. An experienced Wyoming hunter said relying on AI for reliable information is a “crapshoot” at best.
Mark HeinzOctober 21, 2025
‘Concealed Carry’ Fashion Includes Vests And Workout Shorts With Pistol Holsters
Concealed carry clothing, with built-in pistol holsters and pouches for ammunition magazines, could be one of the fastest-growing fashion niches. Wyoming tactical experts, however, said although it could be viable for some, the clothing has drawbacks that can make it impractical.
Mark HeinzOctober 18, 2025
Four Trophy Bull Elk Illegally Killed, Colorado Poachers Could Face Lifetime Bans
In a poaching case that one wildlife official said is the worst he’s ever seen, four trophy-sized bull elk were shot and left to rot in southern Colorado in one of the state’s most prized hunting areas. Offenders could face lifetime hunting bans if caught.
Mark HeinzOctober 16, 2025
Two Idaho Hunters Killed In Two Days Highlights Dangers Of Unsafe Hunting
The accidental shooting deaths of two Idaho hunters in the past week highlights the dangers of unsafe hunting, say Wyoming outdoorsmen. It's also a reminder to be extra careful with more hunters out looking for game every season.
Mark HeinzOctober 15, 2025
Yellowstone Guide Loves The Backcountry, Where His Mules Chase Grizzlies Away
A Yellowstone outfitter and guide loves exploring the most remote places in the national park. His horses and mules not only are hardy companions, they gang up to chase away interloping grizzlies.
Mark HeinzOctober 14, 2025
Four Moose Killed By Drivers In Grand Teton, Including Famed Bull 'Elk Antler'
Four moose, including famed bull “Elk Antler,” were killed by speeding drivers in Grand Teton National Park over the past couple of weeks. Authorities say increasing traffic is to blame as "shoulder seasons" are much busier than they used to be.
Mark HeinzOctober 13, 2025
Wyoming Hunter Shoots Ram With Well-Known Horn Mutation In Famous Herd Near Lovell
A Sheridan man waited 45 years to draw a bighorn sheep tag and ended up shooting a ram with a rare horn mutation, a trademark of famous herd on the Moss Ranch near Lovell.
Mark HeinzOctober 12, 2025
One-Legged Laramie Hunter Bags Antelope, Plans To Build Prosthetic Rifle Rest
Despite just getting a new prosthetic leg, Randy Svalina of Laramie went on a solo antelope hunt last week and got his buck. He and his doctor are now discussing designing the prosthetic to double as a hunting rifle rest.
Mark HeinzOctober 12, 2025
Rock Springs Woman Bags Massive Mule Deer Dubbed ‘Gray Ghost’
Rock Springs hunter Lori Dickinson said she feels blessed by how everything fell into place, giving her the opportunity to shoot a mule deer that could turn out to be one of the top monster bucks of the 2025 hunting season.
Mark HeinzOctober 11, 2025
Squatters, BASE Jumpers Flood Yosemite During Shutdown, No Chaos At Yellowstone
During the government shutdown, Yosemite National Park has been invaded by squatters and adrenaline junkies, illegally parachuting off El Capitan. Tour guides told Cowboy State Daily that Grand Teton and Yellowstone haven’t slid into chaos.
Mark HeinzOctober 11, 2025
Wyoming, Other States Must Settle Colorado River Water Fight Or Feds Will Step In
With rising tensions over a dwindling supply of water from the Colorado River, Wyoming and six other states have until Nov. 11 to hammer out a deal for water allocation or the federal government will step in and settle it for them.
Mark HeinzOctober 10, 2025
Counting Dead Elk And Bison Carcasses Was A Real Job In Yellowstone
Over the course of 47 winters in Yellowstone, Jeff Henry has seen incredible changes. He can recall back when so many winter-killed bison and elk carcasses littered the basins near Old Faithful, counting them was his and other peoples' full-time job.
Mark HeinzOctober 10, 2025
Montana Hunters, Lawmakers Say Wolves Aren't Being Killed Fast Enough, File Lawsuit
Some Montana lawmakers and sportsmen claim that state’s wolf hunting regulations are too restrictive and won’t let them kill the wolves fast enough. They say unless regulations are loosened they won't be able to hit the kill quota of 452 wolves.
Mark HeinzOctober 09, 2025
Eastern States Go Digital With Electronic Deer Tags, Wyoming Sticks With Paper
A digital revolution in deer hunting is sweeping Eastern states with hunters being given the option to report their kills, and even “tag” deer electronically. Wyoming is likely to stick with the traditional paper route for now.
Mark HeinzOctober 08, 2025