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
Teslas Think Yellowstone Bison Are Human-Dog Shapeshifters
According to Tesla’s AI software, Yellowstone National Park’s bison are people who magically shapeshift into dogs as the vehicle passes them.
Mark HeinzSeptember 14, 2023
Nebraska Elk With Wyoming DNA Causing Problems In Croplands
Elk from Wyoming started filtering into Nebraska decades ago, followed by more from Colorado. Lately, the Cornhusker State’s elk population has grown to the point where the herds are causing problems, such as raiding corn fields.
Mark HeinzSeptember 14, 2023
Injured Bear Captured At Cheyenne Park Set Free In Snowy Range
Wyoming’s year of wild bear activity continues as Cheyenne first responders rescued an injured black bear from a tree in a city park. The bear was returned to the wild in the Snowy Range Mountains.
Mark HeinzSeptember 13, 2023
"This Is Not California!": Angry Hanna Citizens Yell At Town Leaders In Wild Council Meeting
A Hanna Town Council meeting on Tuesday got out of control as angry residents yelled at, and cussed-out, the council over a proposed ordinance cracking down on junk and trash. One resident yelled, "This is not California!"
Mark HeinzSeptember 13, 2023
Grizzly Featured In ‘Wyoming Sunrise’ Photo Near Cody Captured, Killed
A 3-year-old male grizzly bear near Cody featured Monday as Cowboy State Daily’s “Wyoming Sunrise” was captured and killed by Game and Fish agents because it had become too comfortable with people.
Mark HeinzSeptember 12, 2023
Wyoming Elk Herds Balloon Because They Know Where To Hide Out
Wyoming wildlife officials on Monday told legislators that elk are smart enough to figure out places to go where they won’t get shot, and that’s contributed to the overpopulation of the species in the state.
Mark HeinzSeptember 11, 2023
Hageman Calls New Mexico Gov. A 'Dictator' For Unconstitutional Gun Ban
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham blatantly violated the U.S. Constitution when she issued a 30-day ban on carrying firearms in public in Albuquerque, a Wyoming gun rights law expert said. U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyoming, says the governor acted like a "dictator."
Mark HeinzSeptember 11, 2023
‘Digital Taxidermy’ Could Be The Next Big Thing For Big Game Hunters
Creating lifelike digital scenes of big game trophies from photos of their racks has taken off for Missouri-based Digital Taxidermy, and some Wyoming hunters say it’s a great idea.
Mark HeinzSeptember 11, 2023
Abandoned Campers And Squatting In National Forests Goes Far Beyond Wyoming
The problem of people squatting in campgrounds well past the time limits imposed on most National Forests is a problem not only in Wyoming but all across the West. Some "campers" are even bringing port-a-potties for their months-long stays.
Mark HeinzSeptember 10, 2023
Hunting Wyoming: Elk Superb, Deer And Antelope Down In Sublette County
Sublette County is primarily known for its world-class deer and pronghorn hunting. But with those species down this year, the county still has excellent elk, upland bird and waterfowl hunting, a resident outdoorsman said.
Mark HeinzSeptember 09, 2023
Grizzly That Killed Yellowstone Hiker Shot And Killed After Breaking Into House
A female grizzly bear that killed a woman near West Yellowstone in July was shot and killed by wildlife agents Saturday after breaking into an occupied house. The grizzly’s cub was captured and sent to a wildlife rehabilitation center.
Mark HeinzSeptember 06, 2023
Two More Grizzlies Shot In Montana, Self-Defense Claimed In Both Incidents
Two grizzlies have been shot and killed in Montana withing days of each other, one by hunters and the other by an angler. There’s typically an uptick in human-bear conflicts this time of year, a wildlife official said.
Mark HeinzSeptember 05, 2023
Hundreds Of Wyoming Hunters Turn In Tags To Save Devastated Deer Herds
Nearly 1,200 Wyoming deer will get to “walk” this hunting season. That’s how many hunters turned in their deer tags to help preserve struggling herds, and to get a chance at prize drawings.
Mark HeinzSeptember 01, 2023
Late Summer Is Wyoming’s Sweet Spot For ‘Fantastic Fly Fishing’
For many, late summer in Wyoming means hunting has begun, but it’s also the sweet spot for fishing. In fact, local outdoorsmen say, include a fly rod in your hunting gear.
Mark HeinzSeptember 01, 2023
Officials Push Back As Bighorn National Forest Site Turning Into An RV Graveyard
U.S. Forest Service officials are tired of abandoned RVs and campers cluttering up a Bighorn National Forest. They're cracking down and demanding people move their campers every two weeks.
Mark HeinzSeptember 01, 2023
Hunter Shoots Partner As Both Open Fire On Charging Montana Grizzly
A Montana hunter accidentally shot and wounded his partner after both of them opened fire on a female grizzly that was charging them. The grizzly was killed and the man, who was hit in the back of one of his shoulders, survived.
Mark HeinzAugust 31, 2023
Non-Violent Felons Can Now Have Guns In Wyoming, But Can They Buy Them?
A restoration of rights in Wyoming for nonviolent felons includes the right to keep and use firearms, but whether that means they can pass a federal background check still isn’t clear, says a local gun rights advocate.
Mark HeinzAugust 30, 2023
It’s Been A Banner Season For ‘Stupid Tourist Tricks’ In Yellowstone
Tourists keep pushing their luck with wildlife in Yellowstone National Park, and it’s probably just a matter of time before somebody is “severely injured,” one observer said.
Mark HeinzAugust 30, 2023
Game and Fish Traps, Relocates Grizzly Hanging Around Highway
Wildlife agents captured and relocated a young male grizzly near Moran on Saturday because it was hanging out too close to a highway. It was one of numerous incidents involving bears this year in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho.
Mark HeinzAugust 29, 2023
Wyoming Schools Unprepared For Space Alien Invasion, But Maryland’s Aren’t
If space aliens invade Wyoming, its schools will be caught flat-footed, even though some schools in Maryland are preparing for an “Independence Day” scenario.
Mark HeinzAugust 29, 2023
Cops Banned From Donut Shops? Not In Wyoming
A Wyoming undersheriff, gun advocate and bakery all say a California chain of bakeries that’s banned cops because they carry guns is “extremism taken to the max.”
Mark HeinzAugust 28, 2023