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
Against ‘Astronomical Odds,’ Aladdin Man Hunts All Four Of Wyoming’s Legal ‘Big 5’
Wyomings system for drawing allowed Joe Feeley of Aladdin to draw tags for all the Big 5 trophy game species currently legal to hunt. Even so, he favors a bill that would reform the tag draw system because it would give young hunters better odds.
Mark HeinzJanuary 21, 2023
The ‘Squallet’: A Quintessential American Product With Wyoming Roots
The Squallet is a wallet made from a squirrel pelt, complete with the head and tail. The company that provides Squallets was launched thanks to former Wyoming Attorney General Pat Crank.
Mark HeinzJanuary 20, 2023
Three Montana Grizzlies Killed After They Were Sickened By Bird Flu
Three Montana grizzly bears sickened by bird flu had to be killed because they were suffering neurological damage from the virus. This is the first time the virus has been reported in grizzlies.
Mark HeinzJanuary 19, 2023
Horse, It’s What’s For Dinner: Legislators Discuss Resolution To Re-Open Horse Slaughterhouses
To get a handle on growing herds of wild mustangs in Wyoming and the American West, a resolution being considered by the Legislature says Congress should re-open American horse slaughterhouses so the meat can be shipped to places where people eat it.
Mark HeinzJanuary 19, 2023
Sen. Charlie Scott Says Shotgun Is Good Way To Deal With Annoying Drones
Sens. Charlie Scott and Lynn Hutchings on Wednesday said there should be a provision in the drone bill that would allow a landowner to shoot down drones that are trespassing over private property.
Mark HeinzJanuary 19, 2023
Realtor: Hobbyists Who Buy “Cheap Drones At Wal-Mart” Causing Problems For Legit Drone Operators
In a legislative committee meeting on Wednesday, the president of the Wyoming Realtors association said commercial drone operators are well-behaved. It's the "hobbyists who buy cheap drones at Wal-Mart and fly them over their neighbors properties," who are causing all the problems, he said.
Mark HeinzJanuary 18, 2023
Bill Would Remove 75% – 25% Preference Point System For “Big 5” Trophy Game Species
Wyomings trophy species hunters sometimes wait decades before drawing a once-in-a-lifetime tag -- if they draw one at all. Senate File 88 would reform the drawing process and could give younger hunters a chance, proponents say.
Mark HeinzJanuary 18, 2023
Bill Empowering Game Wardens To Ticket For Criminal Trespass Advances To Senate Floor
Although there were concerns that a bill empowering Wyoming game wardens to bust trespassers was an attempt to "back-door"restrictions on corner crossing, those fears appear to have been alleviated as Senate File 56 was passed out of committee to the senate floor on Tuesday.
Mark HeinzJanuary 18, 2023
Is Yellowstone’s ‘Zone Of Death’ The Ideal Place To Get Away With Murder?
It's technically possible to get away with murder in Yellowstone National Parks infamous Zone of Death, enough so that it's the basis for a novel by Wyoming author C.J. Box. But legal experts say it's not a good idea to test the theory.
Mark HeinzJanuary 17, 2023
ATF ‘Pistol Brace’ Ruling Could Have Sweeping Impacts For Wyoming Gun Owners
An ATF ruling that would classify firearms outfitted with pistol braces as short-barreled rifles could require up to 40 million guns to be registered, something many gun owners see as unconstitutional.
Mark HeinzJanuary 16, 2023
I-80 Off-Road Vehicle Pass-Thru Could Boost Tourism In Southwest Wyoming, Supporters Say
Allowing off-road vehicles to pass underneath Interstate 80 near Evanston could connect a series of trails and be a huge boost to the areas tourism, say proponents House Bill 42, which was moved to the House floor on Friday.
Mark HeinzJanuary 14, 2023
Bill Would Make Drone ‘Trespassing’ In Wyoming A Crime, But Some Say It’s Too Lenient
Trespassing by drones in a growing problem in Wyoming, say proponents of a bill that would criminalize it. But some say legislation before the Senate Judiciary Committee is far too lenient and difficult to enforce.
Mark HeinzJanuary 14, 2023
No Hunting Tag Hikes: Senate Rejects Bill To Raise Nonresident Fees By Up To 200%
A bill that would have raised some out-of-state hunting tag fees up to 200% for Wyoming big game and trophy game species died in Senate.
Mark HeinzJanuary 13, 2023
Pair Of Trooper K-9s Keep Wyoming Capitol Safe During Legislative Session
Scout and Duster, a pair of black Labrador retrievers, sweep the state Capitol building for explosives and other potentially dangerous devices every day during the Wyoming Legislatures 37-day session, which began this week.
Mark HeinzJanuary 13, 2023
Bill Would Clarify Grazing Management On State Leased Lands
A pair of bills forwarded by the Wyoming House Agriculture Committee would make it easier for ranchers to make improvements on state land grazing leases without getting prior state approval.
Mark HeinzJanuary 13, 2023
15 Miles From Civilization, Someone Removed Yellowstone Snowmobiler’s Ignition Key
It could been a dire situation for Yellowstone snowmobiler Chris Brookhart as someone removed the ignition key from his snowmobile 15 miles from civilization on Tuesday. It turns out someone hid the key on purpose.
Mark HeinzJanuary 13, 2023
Committee OKs Up To 200% Hike For Nonresident Wyoming Hunting Tags
Calling Wyoming the Saudi Arabia Of Antelope, an outfitter and former Wildlife Task Force member said Wyoming should put a premium price tag on its premium and often once-in-a-lifetime hunting experience.
Mark HeinzJanuary 13, 2023
Senate Passes Bill Tightening Rules About How Much Landowners Have To Pay For Others’ Fences
The Wyoming Senate on Wednesday gave a green light for Senate File 73, which would make subdividers more responsible for fences adjacent to agricultural land.
Mark HeinzJanuary 12, 2023
Want A Viking Funeral? Only State That Allows It Is Colorado
If you are interested in having a Viking funeral, the only state in the nation which allows something close to it is Colorado. Sadly, the head of the Wyoming Funeral Directors Association said there's not much interest in it here.
Mark HeinzJanuary 12, 2023
Former Gov. Matt Mead Named ‘Citizen Of The West’ At National Western Stock Show
Former Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead was named Citizen of the West at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Tuesday, joining a list of notable Wyomingites who have been given the honor.
Mark HeinzJanuary 11, 2023
Don’t Have A Cow: State Vet Urges Lawmakers To Clarify Cattle Disease Policy
Clarifying Wyomings law regarding brucellosis containment should make things easier for livestock producers, while easing the fears of neighboring states over the disease, which causes cattle to abort their calves.
Mark HeinzJanuary 11, 2023