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
Hunters, Biologists Angered Over Alleged Wolf Torture Case
Hunters and biologists on Wednesday said the alleged capture and abuse of a wolf in Sublette County was not only inhumane and wrong but plays right into the hands of anti-hunting groups who will try to use this to further their agenda.
Mark HeinzApril 03, 2024
Wyoming Man Cited For Capturing Live Wolf, Reportedly Showed It Off In Bar Before Killing It
On Feb. 29, a Sublette County man reportedly captured and tormented a wolf in Daniel, Wyoming. He allegedly taped its mouth shut and showed it off in a bar before taking it out back and shooting it. The man has been charged with possession of a live wolf.
Mark HeinzApril 02, 2024
Disease That Has Killed Millions Of Bats Threatens Wyoming Populations
A fungal infection that can wipe out entire bat populations, has popped up near southeast Wyoming in Colorado — and it’s already been detected in eastern and northeastern Wyoming.
Mark HeinzApril 01, 2024
‘Old Snappy’ A Fixture Along Wyoming’s North Platte River For 45 Years
Old Snappy, a common snapping turtle that hangs out along Wyoming’s North Platte River, might be the same turtle that a biologist set free there 45 years ago.
Mark HeinzApril 01, 2024
Tossing Pinecones Into Mouth Of Giant T. Rex A 60-Year UW Tradition
Trying to toss pinecones into the mouth of a life-sized Tyrannosaurus rex sculpture on the University of Wyoming campus has been going on for 60 years and is nearly impossible. The rumor is those who can are guaranteed to get good grades.
Mark HeinzMarch 31, 2024
$30M Wildlife Crossings To Target Wyoming Highway ‘Slaughterhouse’
With a new nuclear power plant coming, truck traffic is going to spike on Highway 189 between I-80 and Kemmerer. That's why locals are pleased a new $30 million wildlife crossing project will be built on a stretch already known as a “slaughterhouse” for antelope and deer.
Mark HeinzMarch 31, 2024
Laramie Not Sad To See Giant "Joe Biden" Head Go
A giant 13.5-foot-tall human head sculpture commonly called the “Joe Biden head” near a busy intersection in Laramie will be removed in May. And locals say it won’t be missed.
Mark HeinzMarch 30, 2024
Wyoming Gun Experts Say Biometric Firearms A ‘Pipe Dream Of The Liberals’
A Colorado company has joined the trend of building “smart guns,” or firearms that can be fired only by authorized users. One Wyoming gun store owner said biometric firearms have been a "pipe dream of the liberals for decades."
Mark HeinzMarch 29, 2024
Got Ticks? Guinea Fowl Could Be Best Way To Get Rid Of Them (Rattlesnakes Too)
A Goshen County couple was alarmed when they found their new property was infested with ticks. But after purchasing a couple dozen guinea fowls to patrol their property, they've been tick-free. Plus, they're also good at killing rattlesnakes.
Mark HeinzMarch 28, 2024
Wyoming Hunters Kill Record 29,000 Elk, But Not Enough To Trim Massive Herds
Hunters killed roughly 29,000 elk in Wyoming, for a record-setting 2023-2024 hunting season. Although that's a huge amount of elk, it only scratches the surface of what's needed to cull the state’s ballooning herds.
Mark HeinzMarch 27, 2024
Wyoming Ticks Are Already Coming Out, Entomologist Bags 53 In Minutes
Think it’s too early in the year to worry about ticks in Wyoming? Think again. An entomologist collected 53 in about 40 minutes Sunday in Laramie County.
Mark HeinzMarch 26, 2024
Feds Want To Put Grizzlies In Washington; Will They Use Wyoming Bears?
After years of speculation over returning grizzlies to Washington’s North Cascades, the federal government has taken the first solid step toward reintroducing bears. Whether Wyoming grizzlies will be captured and transported to Washington’s mountains remains an open question.
Mark HeinzMarch 26, 2024
Mountain Lion Kills California Man, But Attacks In Wyoming Extremely Rare
A mountain lion attack in northern California on Saturday left one man dead and his brother severely maimed, but a Wyoming outfitter said such an attack is extremely unlikely here.
Mark HeinzMarch 25, 2024
Northeast Wyoming Already Blowing Up As Wildfire Hot-Spot
Wyoming’s premier national forests might be safe from a nasty fire season, but in the northeast corner of the state, it’s already blowing up — and expected to get worse.
Mark HeinzMarch 25, 2024
Wyoming Wildlife Getting Used To New Network Of 9 Underpasses In Lincoln County
Since opening in October, the Dry Piney wildlife underpasses along Highway 189 near La Barge have already saved an estimated hundreds, if not thousands, of moose, deer, antelope, and other critters of all sizes.
Mark HeinzMarch 24, 2024
Wyoming Game And Fish Proposes Unlimited Elk Tags To Cut Down On Gigantic Herds
In an effort to cull some of the state’s swelling elk herds, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department could offer unlimited cow/calf elk tags in some hunt areas this fall. Whether hunters can fill those tags, however, will depend upon getting access to private land.
Mark HeinzMarch 23, 2024
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