Outdoors Reporter

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.

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Latest from Mark Heinz

Countless mule deer died along oil field roads in the Sublette County this winter. The deer came to the roads to escape deep, crusted snow, only to starve to death.

1,500 Big Game Carcasses At Sublette County Landfill Could Be Just The Beginning Of Gruesome Winterkill Tally

The La Barge-Big Piney area is just one region of Wyoming that is finally seeing the full scope of this year’s big game winterkill. Roughly 1,500 carcasses were recently taken to the Sublette County landfill, and there's still many more to come

Mark HeinzMay 10, 2023

Ed Fowler has raised sheep and lambs like these near Riverton for about 30 years. He said that since he’s taken a softer approach to predators such as coyotes and mountain lions, they’ve mostly left his flock alone.

Wyoming Sheep Rancher Says Coyotes Guard His Flock, As Does Eagle-Stomping Ewe

A Riverton, Wyoming, sheep rancher said he stopped randomly shooting coyotes after some of them became “guard coyotes” for his sheep herd, which included an eagle-stomping ewe.

Mark HeinzMay 10, 2023

Wyoming Police Chief Sets Up Trail Cam To Catch Mountain Lion, Pulls Prank Instead

The Evansville police chief set up a trail camera in hopes of catching a glimpse of mountain lion he suspected was creeping round his town. Instead, he captured images of a lot of other critters, as well as a practical joke.

Mark HeinzMay 09, 2023

After all the fish in Saratoga Lake were killed last fall to rid the lake of a yellow perch infestation, it's being restocked with trout.

Wyoming's Zombie Lake Back From The Dead As Game And Fish Restocks Popular Saratoga Reservoir

After killing all the fish in Saratoga Lake last fall to rid it of invasive yellow perch, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is re-stocking the popular lake.

Mark HeinzMay 09, 2023

Mule deer cautiously approach a highway underpass along U.S. Highway 189 near Dry Piney. As many as 150 deer get killed every year there trying to cross the road, but it’s hoped that underpasses there can cut down on the roadkill.

New Highway Underpasses Near La Barge Could Save Hundreds Of Wyoming Deer From Becoming Roadkill

The deadliest stretch of highway for Wyoming Range mule deer is between La Barge and Big Piney. It's hoped future wildlife underpasses that will be built there will cut down on the carnage.

Mark HeinzMay 08, 2023

Wyoming Hunters Say Don’t Punish Predators For Huge Big Game Winterkill

In the wake of a brutal winter killing tens of thousands of Wyoming big game animals, many hunters are saying they don’t want predators targeted too aggressively.

Mark HeinzMay 08, 2023

The Wyoming Fossil Cabin was supposed to be moved in 2018 from its current site along a remote section of Wyoming Highway 30 into Medicine Bow. But the project stalled, leaving the cabin resting awkwardly on beams.

Wyoming’s Fossil Cabin — "World’s Oldest Building" — Could Be Moved This Summer

After years of languishing in a remote spot along Wyoming Highway 30 between Rock River and Medicine Bow, the famed Wyoming Fossil Cabin might finally make it to a new home alongside the Medicine Bow Museum this summer.

Mark HeinzMay 07, 2023

‘Logistical Nightmare’: Short On Plow Drivers & Hammered By Weather, WYDOT Had Harrowing Winter

Personnel shortages, worn equipment and brutal weather made for a tough winter for the Wyoming Department of Transportation.

Mark HeinzMay 07, 2023

“Eating your tag” is a common saying among hunters, referencing an unsuccessful deer season. The “let a deer walk” prize drawing ask hunters to leave their tags unfilled this fall.

Wyoming Hunters Sitting Out Deer Season To Support Herds Devastated By Winterkill

A program to conserve Wyoming deer herds devastated by winterkill that asks hunters to turn in their deer tags for a chance to win prizes has gotten nationwide attention, with more than $100,000 in prizes donated so far.

Mark HeinzMay 05, 2023

Grizzly 399, Wyoming’s most famous bear, pictured here last summer, has yet to be seen this spring.

As The World Waits For Grizzly 399, The "B-List" Celebrity Bears Are Popping Out

Although Grizzly 399 has yet to make an appearance this spring in Grand Teton National Park, other well-known bears -- the b-listers -- are starting to show themselves.

Mark HeinzMay 05, 2023

Wolf Hunts In Colorado ‘A Long Way Off, If Ever’ As State Seeks Management Similar To Wyoming’s

More wolves might not be coming this year to northern Colorado near the Wyoming state line. A legislative measure to delay their reintroduction is gaining steam, with the weight of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation behind it.

Mark HeinzMay 05, 2023

While it may be tempting to pull over and take carcasses, heads or other parts of wildlife from alongside roads, it's illegal without an $8 permit.

No, You Cannot Chop The Heads Off Of Wyoming Winterkill Animals To Get Antlers

Tempted to lop the head off one of those winterkill big game carcasses so you can keep the skull and antlers? You’ll need an interstate game tag first, Game and Fish says.

Mark HeinzMay 04, 2023

Other Authors

Wyoming Farmers Have Few Options For Fixing Their Own Tractors As Colorado Passes ‘Right To Repair’

Colorado recently became the first state to pass a “right to repair” bill allowing farmers more leeway to fix their own tractors. Wyoming industry insiders say a similar measure is unlikely here anytime soon.

Mark HeinzMay 03, 2023

A pack of gray wolves in Yellowstone National Park.

Governor Gordon Tells Colorado They Will Not Be Getting Any Wolves From Wyoming

Colorado is having trouble finding wolves for its reintroduction program scheduled to begin this year. Gov. Mark Gordon says they won't be getting any wolves from Wyoming.

Mark HeinzMay 03, 2023

Bear, Mountain Lion Kill Quotas May Be Raised To Protect Devastated Wyoming Big Game Herds

With some premiere big game herds devastated by winterkill, the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission will meet Monday to consider allowing higher hunting quotas for black bears and mountain lions.

Mark HeinzMay 03, 2023

Facebook posts, such as this one on the Wild Love Images wildlife photography Facebook page, show photos of a grizzly bear that was reported to have been shot and left dead Monday on the North Fork Highway between Cody and Yellowstone Park.

‘This Bear Can’t Die In Vain’: Wyoming Residents Incensed Over Grizzly Shot, Left Dead By Roadside

A large male grizzly that people had reported seeing alive and well just east of Yellowstone Park in recent days was found shot dead off U.S. Highway 14-16-20 early Monday, sparking outrage among locals.

Mark HeinzMay 02, 2023

Shed antler hunting season opened Monday on the National Elk Refuge in Teton County, and opens May 15 elsewhere around Wyoming.

Repeat Wyoming Shed Antler Hunt Violator Banned From Federal Lands And Hunting For 5 Years

A Bozeman, Montana, man convicted of illegally stashing shed antlers in Wyoming — to profit by selling them as dog chews — can’t set foot on federal public land or hunt anywhere in the world for five years.

Mark HeinzMay 01, 2023

These 1876 Winchester rifles were displayed by Greg Garlick on Saturday at the New Frontier Gun Show and Western Collectibles Show in Cheyenne.

With Antique Guns Going For $30K Or More, Premier Firearms Show Finds Home In Wyoming

There were several model 1876 Winchesters for sale Saturday at the New Frontier Gun Show and Western Collectibles Show in Cheyenne, ranging in price from about $3,000 for those in more heavily used condition to at least $30,000 for one in near-mint condition.

Mark HeinzMay 01, 2023

Scientists demonstrate a drone they've placed inside the taxidermied body of a bird.

Scientists Make Flying Zombie Drones From Dead Birds To Better Monitor Wildlife

To make less-intrusive drones to monitor wildlife, some scientists have created what could be described as “zombie birds” using a combination of electronics and taxidermy. However, some Wyomingites said taxidermy drones aren’t likely to catch on here.

Mark HeinzApril 28, 2023

Peter Gros, left, hosts the “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom” nature documentary series, now in its 60th year. He follows in the footsteps of legendary hosts Marlin Perkins and Jim Fowler, right.

‘Wild Kingdom’ Host Wants To Shoot Episodes In Wyoming

With the Mutual of Omaha’s “Wild Kingdom” series in its 60th year, the show’s current host, Peter Gros, said he’s interested in filming some episodes in Wyoming

Mark HeinzApril 28, 2023

Washington ‘Assault Weapons’ Ban Makes Gunmaker Thankful To Be In Wyoming

An “assault weapons” ban and other gun control measures implemented in Washington state this week make a gun manufacturer happy to be in Wyoming, but some gun rights advocates worry about the long-term implications.

Mark HeinzApril 27, 2023

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