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
California Man Who Left Wyoming Elk To Rot Can’t Hunt For Two Years
A California man who left most of the carcass of a Wyoming elk he killed go to waste was slapped with more than $6,000 in fines and will lose his privileges to hunt in most of the U.S. for two years.
Mark HeinzJuly 12, 2023
Wolves May Have Cut Wyoming Mountain Lion Population By Half By Killing Kittens & Starving Adults
Wolves slaying mountain lion kittens and keeping adult cats away from prey might have caused the mountain lion population in northwest Wyoming to plunge by nearly half in recent years, according to a study.
Mark HeinzJuly 11, 2023
If A Grizzly Is Attacking You In Yellowstone, It Is Illegal For You To Shoot It
Sorry, but if you’re attacked by a grizzly in Yellowstone, it is against the law for you to shoot it. Reaching for bear spray could be your best legal option as you can’t even point a firearm at wildlife there.
Mark HeinzJuly 10, 2023
Static Electricity Might Suck Wyoming Ticks Right Onto You
Scientists have determined that static electricity can pull ticks onto people – like a science fiction tractor beam. An expected large population of ticks is looking for hosts after a huge big game die-off this past winter.
Mark HeinzJuly 10, 2023
As Herd Populations Explode, So Does Wyoming’s Wild Mustang Dilemma
Estimates put Wyoming’s wild mustang population at more than double its target prior to winter. BLM officials wait for winterkill numbers.
Mark HeinzJuly 08, 2023
Days Of Rage In Yellowstone: Hot Tempers, Violent Threats Caught On Video
After calling someone an idiot for leaving the boardwalk at Yellowstone, tempers erupted and violent threats ensued. The man who started the confrontation said he probably could have handled the situation better.
Mark HeinzJuly 07, 2023
Bradley Cooper In Wyoming’s Pathfinder Canyon Airs On Outdoor Adventure Show Sunday
Film Star Bradley Cooper’s appearance on “Running Wild With Bear Grylls: The Challenge” for the National Geographic Channel will air Sunday. A Wyoming film promoter said he hopes more location shooting will result.
Mark HeinzJuly 07, 2023
Wyoming Loves Hunting, But Denver And California May Be Bringing Approval Ratings Down
Urban population centers in Denver, Salt Lake City and California could be to blame for the West having some of the nation’s lowest approval ratings for hunting among the general public.
Mark HeinzJuly 06, 2023
Poachers Kill Wyoming Angus Calf, Steal Meat And Leave Carcass To Rot
Somebody killed a yearling calf near Rock Springs, Wyoming, took most of the prime cuts of meat and left the rest of the carcass to rot. The Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office is looking for suspects.
Mark HeinzJuly 06, 2023
Wyoming Could Be One Mistake Away From Land-Walking "Frankenfish" Invasion
All it would take is somebody dumping northern snakeheads into one Wyoming waterway and the state could be infested with the so-called “frankenfish.”
Mark HeinzJuly 05, 2023
Jackalopes Are Real … Sort Of: Viruses Can Cause Bunnies To Grow ‘Horns’
Like many tall tales, the legend of Wyoming’s favorite mythical creature, the jackalope, might be based in reality. Viral infections can cause rabbits to develop horn-like growths on their heads.
Mark HeinzJuly 05, 2023
Happy Independence Day! Here's A List Of Fireworks Shows Across Wyoming On Tuesday
Fireworks displays are plentiful across Wyoming late Tuesday, so get out there and enjoy the show!
Mark Heinz & Jimmy OrrJuly 03, 2023
Moose On The Loose In Laramie Gets Darted, Taken To Snowies
A young bull moose wandered into Laramie early Monday and was tranquilized by game wardens at Slade Elementary school. The moose was taken to the Snowy Range Mountains and set free.
Mark HeinzJuly 03, 2023
You Can’t Shoot Off Fireworks Colorado, But You Can At The Border
It's a patriotic party atmosphere and “controlled chaos” at a popular fireworks shooting area near the Wyoming-Colorado state line.
Mark HeinzJuly 03, 2023
Cody Family Says Vegas Hotel Unjustly Booted Them, ADA Dog Using Racist, Vulgar Language
A family from Cody allege they were thrown out of a hotel on Saturday by a security guard who called them "f*cking Mexicans." The family said the hotel claimed one of their dogs was aggressive, something the family disputes.
Mark HeinzJuly 02, 2023
"Ha, Ha, Ha! You Guys Are So Dead!": Despite Mockery, There Is Value To Plastic Robo-Bear
Even though Cowboy State Daily's Mark Heinz and Bill Sniffin were mercilessly mocked for their videos where they shot fake bear spray at a plastic bear on a glorified Roomba, hunters say there is real value to "robo-bear."
Mark HeinzJuly 02, 2023
Corner-Crossing Ranch Owner Appeals, Sues Google For Emailer Who Called Him Vulgar Name
Wyoming’s ‘corner crossing’ court case continues to drag on with ranch owner Fredric Eshelman appealing a judge’s ruling against him, and also suing Google to the reveal the identity of a Gmail user who called him a 'piece of shit.'
Mark HeinzJune 30, 2023
Wyoming Should Have Fed Starving Deer, Says Retired Wildlife Official
The man who supervised the Game and Fish’s elk feeding program for 33 years told Cowboy State Daily that tens of thousands of mule deer could have been spared from starving to death this past winter if they’d been artificially fed.
Mark HeinzJune 29, 2023
Massive Winter Die-Off Reportedly Leaves Few Antelope Fawns, No Mule Deer In Red Desert
Almost no antelope fawns and a complete lack of mule deer in the Red Desert has Joe Kenney of Lander concerned. He’s been visiting the area for years, and thinks this past winter's massive die-off is to blame for the lack of wildlife.
Mark HeinzJune 29, 2023
Urban Deer In Rawlins, Wyoming, Are Dropping Newborn Fawns On People’s Porches
A herd of deer moved into Rawlins, Wyoming, decades ago and have been an annoyance ever since, says one local longtime resident. But she was still touched to find a newborn fawn outside her house.
Mark HeinzJune 29, 2023
One Record Fish Not Enough For Cheyenne Angler Who Landed Huge Tiger Trout
After shattering the Wyoming record for tiger trout, which had stood since 2012, Owen Schaad said his next goal is to complete the Cowboy State “grand slam” of cutthroat trout.
Mark HeinzJune 28, 2023