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
Clearing Up Misconceptions: UW’s Firearms Research Center Strives To Bring Truth To National Gun Discussion
In 2019, more Americans beat or stabbed somebody to death than murdered somebody with a rifle. So, the widespread angst over assault rifles is just one example of an inaccuracy that can be cleared up with some research, a UW law professor said.
Mark HeinzFebruary 16, 2023
Wyoming Bighorn Ram Hunts Will Remain ‘Once-In-A-Lifetime’ Opportunity
Hunters who are lucky enough to draw a tag for a Rocky Mountain bighorn ram in Wyoming, but are unsuccessful in shooting one, will die never getting that chance again. A bill that would have allowed hunters to qualify for tags again died on Wednesday.
Mark HeinzFebruary 16, 2023
Posting Bogus ‘No Trespassing’ Signs Could Cost $10,000 First Time, $50,000 For Repeats
A bill that would make it a crime to post no trespassing signs on public land calls for fines of $10,000 for a first offense, $50,000 for more moves forward. Another bill that would have given game wardens broader authority to ticket trespassers has died.
Mark HeinzFebruary 14, 2023
Blasting Coyotes With Night Vision Scopes On Public Land Closer As Bill Clears Both Houses
A bill that would allow the use of spotlights, night vision, and infrared equipment to assist hunters in blowing up coyotes on public land moved one step closer. The bill passed the House last month and was approved by the Senate on Monday.
Mark HeinzFebruary 13, 2023
‘Roadhouse’ Trespassing Bill For Bars Was Doing Fine Until It Morphed Into An Outdoors Trespassing Bill
A Roadhouse Bill that would have allowed for using reasonable physical force to remove trespassers from places like bars -- just like Patrick Swayze -- lost traction and died when the focus of the law shifted toward how to deal with trespassing hunters.
Mark HeinzFebruary 13, 2023
Why There Is A Very Good Chance That The Grizzly Bear Will Get Delisted This Time
Wildlife experts say don't expect judicial review to block delisting of the grizzly bear this time. They say because the evidence is irrefutable that the grizzly has recovered in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, courts won't be able to block it and delisting is likely to happen.
Mark HeinzFebruary 12, 2023
Aerial Cattle Massacre: Feds Gun Down 65 Cows, Leaves Them To Rot
The U.S. Forest Service resorted to gunning down 65 stray cows this month in a New Mexico wilderness area. The cattle killed from the air are then left to rot. Wyoming rancher Dennis Sun condemned the practice.
Mark HeinzFebruary 11, 2023
Wyoming Drone Pilot Says Angry Resident Threatened To Turn Dogs On Him
One commercial drone pilot who testified against an intrusive drone bill on Friday said an angry Green River citizen told him his drone was "pissing her dogs off" and she warned him to land the drone or she would turn the dogs loose on him.
Mark HeinzFebruary 10, 2023
Fake ‘No Trespassing’ Sign Bill One Step Closer To Law After Committee Approval
A bill that would make false no trespassing signs tantamount to hunter harassment took a key step forward Thursday with a Wyoming legislative committee voting unanimously to forward it to the full Senate
Mark HeinzFebruary 10, 2023
Wyoming’s Wild Horses Debate Draws Attention Of English Wildlife Filmmakers
Some English documentary filmmakers told Cowboy State Daily on Thursday that wildlife management issues in the United Kingdom are similar to some in the U.S., and theyre exploring making Wyomings wild horses as the subject of their next film.
Mark HeinzFebruary 09, 2023
Without Commercial Exemption, Wyoming Drone Trespass Bill Won’t Pass, Critics say
An exemption for business and commercial drone use must be written into a bill proposing to make trespassing by drone a criminal offense or it will never get off the ground, lobbyists told Wyoming lawmakers Wednesday.
Mark HeinzFebruary 08, 2023
Bill Would Require Conservation Stamp To Hunt Wyoming Shed Antlers
Describing looking for shed antlers as adult Easter egg hunts, a Montana man said bills before the Wyoming Legislature could ruin his familys yearly shed hunting trips to Jackson.
Mark HeinzFebruary 08, 2023
Family Says Man Killed In Snowy Range Snowmobile Crash Was Fitness Guru Travis Just
A man killed Saturday in a snowmobile accident in the Snowy Range mountains near Centennial was well-known fitness guru and social media influencer Travis Just.
Mark HeinzFebruary 07, 2023
Twitter Suspends Montana Senator’s Account Because He Posted Hunting Photo
Even though Elon Musk purchased Twitter, that doesn't mean those who work for him follow the new regime's policies. That was apparent when Montana Sen. Steve Daines' Twitter account was briefly suspended for posting a hunting photo. His account was reinstated a few hours later.
Mark HeinzFebruary 07, 2023
Proposed Relaxing Of Wyoming Gun Laws Would Cause Problems, Says New York Gun Control Activist
While bills before the Wyoming Legislature push to allow people to conceal carry firearms in more spaces, lifting those restrictions has caused trouble in other states, said Andy Pelosi, a gun control activist from New York.
Mark HeinzFebruary 06, 2023
Legislator Says Horse Slaughter ‘Worked Well’ Before, Could Be Answer To Wyoming’s Wild Horse Problem
There was a small step Monday toward Wyoming wild horses possibly being sent to slaughter, as the Wyoming House passed a resolution calling for Congress to allow it.
Mark HeinzFebruary 06, 2023
As Fight For Overtaxed Colorado River Comes To Boil, Wyoming Looks To Protect Its Interests
Wyoming water specialist Chris Brown warned that Wyoming has a direct interest into the growing Colorado River crisis that could affect millions of people. Wyoming's rivers account for 15% of the Colorado River's water.
Mark HeinzFebruary 05, 2023
Showdown Over Guns In State Capitol: “Gun-Free Zones Are Soft Zones For Mass Shooters”
Although a spokesperson for anti-gun group said permitting concealed carry in public spaces could create shootouts, Rep. Jeremy Haroldson said allowing citizens to carry arms wouldn't spawn gunfights, it would discourage would-be mass murderers.
Mark HeinzFebruary 04, 2023
Gun Owners vs Banks: “I Don’t Want Government To Know If I Bought A Twinkie, Let Alone A Gun”
Gun owners and bankers were at odds on Thursday over legislation that would allow people to sue banks if they track credit card purchases of guns. Wyoming bankers, however, say they have no control over credit card processing at the national level.
Mark HeinzFebruary 03, 2023
Biteman Says He’d Feel Safer Packing Heat In Capitol, Votes To Eliminate Concealed Carry Bans
When a woman began acting in a hostile manner in the gallery of the Senate on Thursday, Sen. Bo Biteman said, The person looked very agitated and not right. I was thinking, I wish I had my gun. I should be able to protect myself."
Mark HeinzFebruary 03, 2023
After Son’s Near-Miss, Snowmobiler Warns Of Avalanche Danger In Wyoming’s Snowy Range
A Minnesota snowmobiler who has been coming to the Snowy Range since 1994 said his son had a very close call with an avalanche, and warned that conditions in Wyoming are ripe for more.
Mark HeinzFebruary 02, 2023