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
Man Who Invented "Grizzly-Proof Suit" Unfortunately Blew Up Before He Tested It
A man who survived being shot, impaled, and hit by a moving truck all while wearing a 150-pound grizzly-proof suit -- which he invented -- never lived to see it take off. Unfortunately, he blew up.
Mark HeinzDecember 16, 2022
A Shortage Of Joe Picketts? Wyoming Game & Fish Struggling To Recruit Game Wardens
Don't tell C.J. Box, but Wyoming is facing a big shortage of game wardens. Low salaries are probably to blame, Game and Fish director Brian Nesvik says.
Mark HeinzDecember 16, 2022
Great Outlook For Ice Fishing, Anglers Encouraged To Pull Burbot, Lake Trout From Flaming Gorge
An early freeze bodes well for Wyomings ice fishing season. There will be generous limits on smaller lake trout at Flaming Gorge reservoir, and no limit for burbot, a Game and Fish official said.
Mark HeinzDecember 15, 2022
Don’t Worry, That Magnesium Chloride Highway De-Icer Isn’t Going To Kill All Of Our Fish
Although magnesium chloride highway de-icer can harm fish, Wyoming biologists say we don't use enough of it to be a concern.
Mark HeinzDecember 15, 2022
As Other States Tighten Gun Laws, Wyoming’s Should Be Even Looser, Advocates Say
What does a Wyomingite call the average Texans gun collection? A starter kit.
Mark HeinzDecember 15, 2022
Top Game Warden: Massive Wyoming Poaching Case Was About Ego, Not Money
Three out-of-state men recently sentenced in one of Wyomings largest poaching cases ever were likely killing wildlife illegally for personal fulfillment rather than profit, according to Wyoming's chief game warden.
Mark HeinzDecember 14, 2022
Despite Huge Wyoming Poaching Bust, Many Wildlife Criminals Get Away With It
Although the recent conviction of the poachers in one of Wyoming's largest poaching cases in history is good news, it may represent only the tip of the iceberg.
Mark HeinzDecember 14, 2022
Game And Fish Can’t Get New Trucks Because Of Shortage; Will Have To Drive Old, Crappy Ones
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department can't get any new trucks because of the massive microchip shortage in vehicles across the country. As a result, lots of older vehicles will remain in the fleet.
Mark HeinzDecember 14, 2022
Three Out-Of-Staters Nailed In One Of Wyoming’s Largest Poaching Cases Ever
Three out-of-staters have been convicted of more than 100 violations in what state agents are calling one of Wyomings largest poaching cases on record.
Mark HeinzDecember 13, 2022
Drone-Mounted Flamethrowers May Sound Like Perfect Christmas Gift But Require Special License
A drone with a flamethrower attached to it might seem like the perfect Christmas gift for that special someone but it turns out theyre expensive and require special licensing.
Mark HeinzDecember 12, 2022
All Of Wyoming To Get Blasted By Arctic Blast; Snow, High Winds, Dangerous Wind Chills Expected
Here we go... All of Wyoming will feel the brunt of an impending winter storm, says Cowboy State Daily meteorologist Don Day said, with much of the state getting between 6 - 12 inches of snow. High winds and dangerous wind chills are expected as well.
Mark HeinzDecember 12, 2022
Water Experts: Wyoming Can’t Avoid Potential ‘Doomsday’ Colorado River Crisis
Although the prolonged drought along the Colorado River may seem to be the troubles of other states, it has a big impact on Wyoming. Roughly 90% of the Colorado Rivers water comes from snowpack in Wyoming and the other upper basin states.
Mark HeinzDecember 11, 2022
Lander Woman Fills Hundreds Of Backpacks For Homeless
After Tammy Green put out a call on social media for necessities and backpacks to put them in, the people of Fremont County delivered. Every morning, her front porch was overflowing. By the time she had 300+ backpacks, she put her plan into motion.
Mark HeinzDecember 11, 2022
Parasite May Make Wyoming Wolves – And People – Bolder, More Ambitious And Even Sexier
A parasite thought to be present in 27% of Yellowstone wolves makes makes the animal act more boldly and more likely to take a leadership position. In humans, it is thought to boost sex-appeal, although that is difficult to quantify, scientists said.
Mark HeinzDecember 09, 2022
‘Corner Crossing’ Case Could Reshape Wyoming’s Trespass Laws
Recognizing that a pending lawsuit over a corner crossing could have sweeping implications for Wyomings land access and trespass policy, advocacy groups for ranchers and hunters are weighing in.
Mark HeinzDecember 09, 2022
Be Bear Aware, Grizzlies Can Still Maul You In The Winter
Biologists are urging outdoors-people to stay "bear aware" in Wyoming as grizzly attacks, although rare, can still happen in the winter. There was a grizzly encounter last month in Fairbanks, Alaska and in late 2018, and woman and her infant were mauled and killed by a male grizzly.
Mark HeinzDecember 08, 2022
Wyo Highway Patrol Got Rid Of Sig Sauer Pistols After Trooper’s Gun Discharged Accidentally
The Wyoming Highway Patrol issued Sig Sauer P320 pistols as their main duty weapons for a time, but switched brands about two years ago after a troopers pistol went off unintentionally, an agency spokesman said
Mark HeinzDecember 07, 2022
Sig Sauer Suckfest? Not So Fast, Wyoming Gun Enthusiasts Say
A pending lawsuit against gun manufacturer Sig Sauer claims one of the companys most popular law enforcement and self-defense pistol models fires unexpectedly, but some Wyoming gun enthusiasts said that hasnt affected them.
Mark HeinzDecember 07, 2022
Blame It On The Rut: Buck Attempts To Attack Its Reflection, Ends Up Crashing Thru Window
Game wardens speculate that a mule deer buck became enraged at its own reflection and tried to attack it. The buck ended up crashing through a home window and then relaxing in the home office.
Mark HeinzDecember 06, 2022
Gordon, Noem Say New Black Hills National Forest Plan Would ‘Drastically’ Harm Timber Industry
Wyoming and South Dakota governors say the timber industry would take too big of a hit under a draft plan for managing the Black Hills National Forest. In a letter, they urge the agency to redraft its management plan.
Mark HeinzDecember 06, 2022
Wyoming Botulism Death Appears To Be Isolated, Source Remains Elusive
So far, there appear to be no other cases of botulism connected to the one that killed a Jackson man last week, the Wyoming Department of Health said.
Mark HeinzDecember 05, 2022