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
Clinton's Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt Says Colorado River Compact A Raw Deal For Wyoming, Other States
Though Bruce Babbitt wasn’t popular in Wyoming during his tenure as the U.S. Secretary of Interior under President Clinton, he acknowledged that Upper Basin States, which includes Wyoming, got a raw deal through the 1922 Colorado River Compact.
Mark HeinzJune 09, 2023
Water Scientist: It Will Take 21 Years of Massive Runoffs & Wet Springs Like This One To Fix Colorado River Crisis
A natural resources scientist said although this wet spring has been a blessing for the parched Colorado River, it would take 21 more like it to fully restore the watershed.
Mark HeinzJune 09, 2023
Wyoming Can’t Take Blame For Colorado River Shortages, Expert Says
Wyoming and other upper basin states shouldn’t be left holding the bag as demand for water from the Colorado river continues to outpace supply, says a water scientist.
Mark HeinzJune 08, 2023
Yellowstone Officials Still Looking For Man Who Chased And Harassed Bears
Officials are continuing the search for a man who was caught on video chasing and harassing bears while reportedly in Yellowstone National Park.
Mark HeinzJune 07, 2023
Wyoming’s ‘Miracle Mile,’ Other Sections Of North Platte Living Up To World-Class Fishing Rep
While Wyoming’s smaller creeks and streams might still be overflowing and dirty from a huge runoff, fishing along the North Platte River in central Wyoming is fantastic, an expert angler says.
Mark HeinzJune 07, 2023
Yellowstone East Gate Road Blocked As Wyoming Landslide Season Kicks Off
Just as snow season releases its grip from Wyoming highways, here comes landslide season. As usual, the trouble spots are near Yellowstone’s East Gate and in Wind River Canyon.
Mark HeinzJune 07, 2023
Fighting Western Wildfires From The Air Could Massacre Fish In High-Population States
Some are claiming air-dropped wildfire retardant has been ineffective and deadly to fish in California and the Northwest, but when used sparingly in Wyoming, it’s helped save cabins and other structures from fires.
Mark HeinzJune 06, 2023
Veteran Wyoming Houndsman Brings Back Puppies For Young Hunters
Doug Boykin said he is deeply grateful for his experiences growing up and running hunting hounds in the Encampment, Wyoming, area. Now he’s giving back by giving away hound dog puppies to kids who ask for them.
Mark HeinzJune 06, 2023
Yellowstone Investigating Unknown Man Who Jumps Out Of Car To Harass Bears
A man who has been recorded numerous times jumping out of a car and running after bears in Yellowstone has not yet been identified, but Yellowstone authorities are trying to track him down.
Mark HeinzJune 05, 2023
Wyoming Fighting Back Against Pistol Brace Ban
With restrictions on pistol braces still in effect, Wyoming is pushing back against the ATF’s ruling. Former Attorney General Gay Woodhouse thinks the state has a "great chance for success."
Mark HeinzJune 05, 2023
Being Rescued In The Wyoming Backcountry Is Free — Unless You Need Life Flight
Basic backcountry search and rescue services will continue to be free in Wyoming, but calling for Life Flight services can still pile up big bills for folks pulled out of the backcountry.
Mark HeinzJune 05, 2023
Everest A ‘Garbage Dump’ During Deadliest Season Ever, Says Wyoming Climber Who Was There
Mount Everest has become a crowded garbage dump and graveyard, says a Wyoming mountaineer who attempted to summit the peak last month. He’s not sure when he’ll go back.
Mark HeinzJune 03, 2023
After Wildlife Officers Couldn’t Rescue Deer From Canal, Cowboys Did The Job
It’s no surprise to veteran Wyoming cowboy Kevin Meyer that it took two Arizona buckaroos to rescue mule deer stranded in a canal, after wildlife officers had run out of options.
Mark HeinzJune 02, 2023
She Killed A Feral Pig With A Knife; Now Pinedale Woman Wants To Bag A Wyoming Bear
After bowhunting red stag in Chile and killing a pig with a knife in New Zealand, Samantha Strable of Pinedale said her next goal is bagging a Wyoming black bear.
Mark HeinzJune 01, 2023
As Pistol Brace Ban Begins, Wyoming Gun Owners Urged To Lawyer Up
Court Injunctions against federal restrictions on pistol braces that went into effect Thursday apply only to certain people. Everybody else should get a lawyer, a Wyoming Second Amendment rights activist says.
Mark HeinzJune 01, 2023
As Herds Reel From Winterkill, Drought And Even Brain Worms, Neighboring States Join Wyoming In Slashing Hunting Tags
Wyoming isn’t the only state that suffered heavy wildlife winterkill and has cut hunting tags. Neighboring states are doing it too, also citing drought and brain worms.
Mark HeinzMay 31, 2023
Still Too Early To Know If Dismissal Of Wyoming ‘Corner-Crossing’ Lawsuit A Victory For Public Land Access
Some Wyomingites with a stake in the outcome of the Elk Mountain “corner-crossing” lawsuit are lukewarm to its outcome in the hunters’ favor, saying the issue is still likely to drag on in the courts.
Mark HeinzMay 31, 2023
Blue-Green Algae Suspected Of Killing Highly Trained Field Dogs In Utah Has Also Been In Wyoming
Six trained retrievers that died from suspected blue-green algae poisoning in Utah were far more than beloved pets. Wyoming dog owners also on alert.
Mark HeinzMay 30, 2023
Dismissal Likely Not The End For ‘Corner-Crossing’ Case, As Appeals Can Drag On
A U.S. District Court judge’s ruling in favor of four hunters in a Wyoming “corner-crossing” case of alleged trespassing in Carbon County is likely to be appealed and could drag on, says a legal expert.
Mark HeinzMay 30, 2023
Despite Momentum To Delist Grizzlies In Wyoming, Opponents Say It Would Be A Disaster For The Bears
Efforts are gaining steam to delist grizzly bears from endangered species protection in Wyoming and neighboring states, but there are still those in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho who oppose the idea.
Mark HeinzMay 29, 2023
Wyoming Mountaineer Doesn’t Regret Abandoning Everest As Death Toll Soared
Casper's Joe McGinley said his decision to leave Everest without summiting was the right decision as crowds and accidents have made this one of the deadliest seasons on record. His goal of climbing the highest peak on all 7 continents has not been deterred, he said.
Mark HeinzMay 29, 2023