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
Proposed Colorado Mountain Lion Hunting Ban Shows Rural-Urban Divide
A proposed ban on mountain lion hunting in Colorado is based on emotion, not science, and will just create more problems between people and predators, a wildlife conservationist said.
Mark HeinzOctober 25, 2023
Fourth Montana Grizzly Shot By Hunter Claiming Self-Defense
For the fourth time this year, an outdoorsman in Montana shot and killed a charging grizzly bear, claiming it was in self-defense.
Mark HeinzOctober 25, 2023
Controversial BLM Rock Springs Plan Could Devastate Tourism, Boosters Say
The Bureau of Land Management’s proposed plan for the 3.6 million acres in the Rock Springs area could devastate tourism in Sweetwater County, which generates millions in revenue and 1,400 local jobs, tourism booster claim.
Mark HeinzOctober 24, 2023
First-Time Wyoming Hunter Had To Watch Elk Suffer After Another Took Bad Shot
A first-time Wyoming elk hunter found himself in an ethical and legal quandary Sunday as he watched a bull elk shot by another hunter suffer and die slowly.
Mark HeinzOctober 24, 2023
Former BLM Director Says Wyoming Would Win If It Sues Over Rock Springs Plan
The Bureau of Land Management’s controversial Rock Springs management plan for 3.6 million acres of public land probably won’t stand up to court challenges because it’s unconstitutional, says former BLM Director William Perry Pendley.
Mark HeinzOctober 23, 2023
Hunting Wyoming: Campbell County Known For Antelope — If You Can Get To Them
Outdoors writer Mark Heinz is doing a series on hunting in all 23 counties in Wyoming. For Campbell County, Mark says the high plains big game herds are plentiful, but getting permission to access some of the best areas can be challenging.
Mark HeinzOctober 22, 2023
Not Just Wyoming: BLM Has Controversial Plans For Moab, Other Areas Around West
A Wyoming off-highway vehicle enthusiast says he’s worried the BLM’s controversial and restrictive Rock Springs management plan is part of a broad effort to remake public land use across the West.
Mark HeinzOctober 20, 2023
Hunting Wyoming: Elk Doing Well in Sweetwater County, But Deer, Antelope Down
Outdoors writer Mark Heinz is doing a series on hunting in all 23 counties in Wyoming. For Sweetwater County, Mark says the elk herds are doing great – but similar to the situation in Carbon County – antelope and deer herds suffered massive winterkill losses.
Mark HeinzOctober 20, 2023
After Tip From Ex-Wife, Wyoming Man Charged With Killing Four Grizzlies
A Powell man is accused of illegally killing four grizzly bears, including two cubs, after wildlife officials began an investigation based on a tip from his ex-wife.
Mark HeinzOctober 19, 2023
Controversial BLM Plan Comment Period Extended After Wyomingites Protest
Wyomingites spoke, and the Bureau of Land Management listened, announcing Thursday morning that the agency has extended the public comment period for its controversial Rock Springs Resource Management Plan to Jan. 17, 2024.
Mark HeinzOctober 19, 2023
Hunters Warned About Taking Big Game Heads Left From Massive Wyoming Winterkill
Thanks to massive winterkill leaving big game carcasses scattered across the landscape, Wyoming hunters might get a chance to take home more than one trophy this fall, but they must follow the rules.
Mark HeinzOctober 18, 2023
If BLM OKs Controversial Rock Springs Plan, Don’t Expect Local Cooperation
Should the BLM approve its controversial and widely criticized plan for managing 1.8 million acres of public land in Wyoming, don’t expect local law enforcement to cooperate, Sweetwater County officials say.
Mark HeinzOctober 18, 2023
‘Elk Massacre’ When Pickup Plows Into Herd Near Meeteetse
A “Sunday morning elk massacre” killed several animals when a pickup plowed into a herd along Wyoming Highway 120 near Meeteetse, an area where critters frequently cross the highway.
Mark HeinzOctober 17, 2023
Hunting Wyoming: Weston County Famous For Its Mountain Lions And Turkeys
Outdoors writer Mark Heinz is doing a series on hunting in all 23 counties in Wyoming. For Weston County, Mark says access to elk and deer areas can be hit and miss, but it has some of the state’s best mountain lion and turkey hunting.
Mark HeinzOctober 17, 2023
Wyoming Hunters Angry Over Pile Of Coyote Carcasses Dumped In Public
Wyoming hunters are reacting with anger over whoever left a pile of dead coyotes along a road to a popular recreation area near Rock Springs. They say it undercuts the importance of ethical predator control.
Mark HeinzOctober 16, 2023
Grizzly 610 Back With Her Cubs, ‘Moving Normally’ A Week After Hit-And-Run
After being struck by a car and laying by the roadside for hours Oct. 9, Grizzly 610, one of Wyoming’s most popular bears, was reported to be in good health Monday.
Mark HeinzOctober 16, 2023
How To Go Hunting In Wyoming Without Getting Your Head Ripped Off By A Grizzly
One experienced hunter who lives in grizzly country says hunters can avoid deadly encounters with grizzlies in Wyoming by planning their exact routes to get in and out of the backcountry, avoiding thick brush, and not getting too close to streams and riverbeds.
Mark HeinzOctober 15, 2023
Wyoming Might Poach BLM Employees To Push Back On Contentious Rock Springs Plan
Wyoming Legislators plan to push back against the Bureau of Land Management over its controversial Rock Springs Resource Management Plan, including trying to poach BLM employees.
Mark HeinzOctober 13, 2023
After Wyoming Refused, Oregon Will Give Colorado 10 Wolves
Despite not getting any wolves from Wyoming, Colorado’s reintroduction program is set to go paws on the ground with 10 wolves from Oregon, starting in December.
Mark HeinzOctober 12, 2023
Teton County Citizens Outraged Over Truck Hitting Grizzly 610, Want Speed Limits Reduced Now
Teton County residents are fed up with people speeding and hitting wildlife along a stretch of U.S. Highway 89 that goes through Grand Teton National Park. The truck that hit Grizzly 610 on Monday is the last straw, they say.
Mark HeinzOctober 12, 2023
Cheyenne Couple Reportedly Spots Bigfoot From Train, Media Goes Bonkers
A Cheyenne couple says they spotted Bigfoot while on a train ride in Colorado over the weekend. The video, of course, has gone viral and the media has gone bonkers over it.
Mark HeinzOctober 11, 2023