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
Bear Expert Says Sleeping On Ground In Grizzly Country Safer Than A Campground
A grizzly expert told Cowboy State Daily that sleeping on the ground in grizzly country is much safer than sleeping in a campground or on the drive to get to grizzly country. He said the danger of bears is "greatly exaggerated."
Mark HeinzSeptember 29, 2023
Congress Follows Wyoming’s Lead, Passes Measure To Protect Hunter Education Programs
In a move that matches Wyoming’s lead, Congress has overwhelmingly passed a measure to protect funding for school hunter education and archery programs. Earlier, the Biden administration tried to cut funding for the programs.
Mark HeinzSeptember 29, 2023
Grizzly 399 And Her Huge Cub In Good Shape Going Into Winter
Wyoming’s beloved grizzly 399 and her huge cub Spirit are in good shape and getting ready for hibernation, likely feasting on hunters’ elk gut piles.
Mark HeinzSeptember 28, 2023
$10 Million Wyoming Shooting Complex Must Be World-Class, Industry Insiders Say
Industry experts said Wednesday that the success of a proposed $10 million Wyoming shooting complex will hinge upon giving firearms and archery enthusiasts what they want and building a world-class facility.
Mark HeinzSeptember 27, 2023
Controversial BLM Plan Does Nothing For Wyoming Mustangs, Advocate Says
Wyoming’s thousands of mustangs are ignored by the Bureau of Land Management’s draft plans for the millions of acres it manages in central Wyoming, a wild horse conservationist said Tuesday.
Mark HeinzSeptember 26, 2023
People Are On the Lookout For This Yellowstone ‘Moose’ That’s Actually A Tree
A tree in Yellowstone National Park’s Lamar Valley looks just like a moose head when seen from the right angle, something experienced Wyoming photographers say they're on the lookout for.
Mark HeinzSeptember 26, 2023
Terrified Woman Says Grizzly Was So Close ‘I Could Feel Its Heartbeat’
A Montana woman who lives in what is now prairie grizzly country in Montana said a grizzly got so close to her tent while camping she “could feel its heartbeat.”
Mark HeinzSeptember 25, 2023
BLM Says It's Misunderstood, Claims No Plans To Lock Public Out Of 1.8 Million Acres
Despite widespread condemnation in Wyoming, the BLM claims much of the criticism leveled at controversial Resource Management Plan is rooted in misinformation or hyperbole.
Mark HeinzSeptember 25, 2023
Wyoming Hunting: Dad’s Trophy Bull Elk Another First For Cody Father-Son Hunting Team
Father-and-son Ed and Dalton of Cody have been hunting together since Dalton was old enough to tag along. And Ed has always let Dalton shoot first. This year, the tables were turned and Ed bagged his first archery bull elk.
Mark HeinzSeptember 24, 2023
Hunting Wyoming: Teton County Has Great Outlook – Just Watch For Grizzlies
Teton County offers a variety of hunting opportunities and great access to public land, but hunters need to be keenly “bear aware” around the area’s robust grizzly population.
Mark HeinzSeptember 24, 2023
Former Navy Seal Offers Grizzly Survival Course For Wyoming Hunters
A former Navy SEAL offers a two-day grizzly survival training course that helps prepare hunters for trekking into grizzly country. His course incorporates the same principle of “forging" under stress that is used in Navy SEAL military training.
Mark HeinzSeptember 23, 2023
As Deadline Nears, Colorado Still Doesn’t Have Wolves For Reintroduction Plan
With an end-of-year deadline closing in, Colorado can't get any wolves for its planned reintroduction plan. Wyoming, and other Western states, have refused to send any.
Mark HeinzSeptember 22, 2023
Hunting Wyoming: Come For the Big Game, Stay For The Birds In Natrona County
Natrona County, Wyoming, is known for its prized antelope herds, but prospects may be down this year. Those hunting for big game should also be on the lookout for sage grouse, partridge and waterfowl.
Mark HeinzSeptember 21, 2023
BLM Plan For 1.8 Million Acres In Wyoming Could Lock Out Hunters, Ranchers
Wyoming officials continue to blast the Bureau of Land Management’s plans for millions of acres in Rock Springs area, claiming it will shut out ranchers, energy developers and the general public.
Mark HeinzSeptember 21, 2023
Woman Taking Huge Elk Rack From Yellowstone May Have Broken Multiple Laws
A woman photographed carrying a large elk skull and antlers in Yellowstone National Park could have been violating both Wyoming and federal wildlife regulations.
Mark HeinzSeptember 20, 2023
New Truck Lot A Haven For Drivers Along I-80’s Notorious ‘Snow Chi Mihn Trail’
The stretch between Rawlins and Laramie is notorious for being a dangerous winter drive, so much so it’s been dubbed the “Snow Chi Mihn Trail.” A new truck parking lot will give drivers much-needed haven.
Mark HeinzSeptember 20, 2023
Wyoming Ranger Likes Maine’s Solution To Campground Squatting
Why doesn't Maine — which has vast stretches of remote wild country and abundant wildlife like Wyoming — have the same problem with abandoned campers and people squatting in campsites? They credit a private-public partnership which helps keep campsites cleaned up.
Mark HeinzSeptember 19, 2023
Montana Prairie Grizzlies Going After Bird And Deer Hunters In Montana
Hunters in Montana had a pair of run-ins with prairie grizzlies where the people and bears walked away relatively unscathed.
Mark HeinzSeptember 18, 2023
As Biden Defunds Hunter Education In Schools, Wyoming Expands Programs
Wyoming will go ahead with plans to expand hunter education and archery programs in public schools, despite the Biden administration’s stance they are “dangerous weapons training” for students.
Mark HeinzSeptember 18, 2023
Wyoming Hunters Giving Up Deer Tags Catching On Across The Nation
The Let a Deer Walk program started by a Wyoming hunter has gained fans all over the country, as people praise the idea of hunters giving up their deer tags this year so herds can recover from a devastating winter.
Mark HeinzSeptember 17, 2023
Wyoming's Elusive 'Night Raider' Elk Gorge On Farmers' Crops
A herd of elk that farmers are calling “the night raiders” have been wreaking havoc in Park County, Wyoming, hay and barley fields. They’re always gone before daylight, so hunters can’t shoot them.
Mark HeinzSeptember 16, 2023