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
In Wake Of Bird Flu Killing Wyoming Mountain Lion, Experts Say Virus Is Unpredictable
It’s difficult to say whether the recent death of a Wyoming mountain lion from bird flu indicates more mammals with catch the virus.
Mark HeinzApril 17, 2023
Brutal Winter Could Delay Shed Antler Season, The Last For Nonresidents Before New Regs Kick In
Because of persistent winter conditions, the last shed antler hunting season allowing nonresidents to start their treasure hunts at the same time as Wyomingites could be delayed. The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission discussed the situation Monday.
Mark HeinzApril 17, 2023
Elk Chilling Out Near Yellowstone Mountain Lion Lucky Big Cat Wasn’t Hungry
A mountain lion that had a bull elk walk right up to it recently in Yellowstone Park had just finished eating a bighorn sheep, and apparently wasn’t interested in dessert, park officials said.
Mark HeinzApril 17, 2023
How A Laramie, Wyoming Company Revolutionized The Maritime Industry
Wyoming might not seem like a maritime industry hub, but a Laramie-based company has been making its mark with shipping companies across the globe. The world's largest ships have Kent Henry's water sanitation technology onboard.
Mark HeinzApril 16, 2023
Crossing Fences: Legal Squabble Over “Wildlife-Friendly” Fencing In Teton County Could Impact State
A Wyoming couple is suing Teton County over an ordinance which requires "wildlife-friendly" fencing in the county. They argue it's government overreach by forcing landowners to install fencing which, in their case, is ineffective for containing horses.
Mark HeinzApril 14, 2023
18,000 Cattle Blown Up In Texas; Only Event Comparable In Wyoming Was The Blizzard Of 1886 - 1887
Wyoming cattle ranchers say reports of a massive explosion and fire killing 18,000 cattle on a Texas dairy farm are appalling, and point to "The Big Die-Up" as the only event similar to the tragedy. Hundreds of thousands of cattle in Wyoming died during a blizzard back in 1886 - 1887.
Mark HeinzApril 13, 2023
Why Are There So Many Mountain Lions Being Spotted In Wyoming Towns?
Mountain lions occasionally wandering into urban areas is nothing new in Wyoming, but there’s been a recent flurry of big cats taking to the streets, though it’s not certain whether that’s because of the harsh winter, a predator expert said.
Mark HeinzApril 13, 2023
Judge Blocks Biden Water Rule; Wyoming Governor, Ranchers Applaud Decision
A federal judge on Wednesday blocked a Clean Water Act rule from the Biden Administration, which some Wyoming officials said would be too broad and punitive, especially against ranchers and farmers.
Mark HeinzApril 13, 2023
Wyoming Hunters, Outfitters Support Hunting Tag Cutbacks In Wake Of Devastating Winterkill
Massive winterkill – particularly among some of Wyoming’s premier antelope herds – has prompted the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to propose significant cutbacks in hunting tags this fall.
Mark HeinzApril 12, 2023
Cheyenne’s Water Options May Dry Up As Colorado River Crisis Looms
Cheyenne faces an uncertain future for its water supply due to the Colorado River crisis, and looking to the ranches west of the city probably isn’t an option.
Mark HeinzApril 11, 2023
As Winter Kills Game Herds By The Thousands, Fate Of Wyoming’s Wild Mustangs Uncertain
While antelope, deer and even elk struggle to survive one on the worst winters in recent memory, the fate of Wyoming’s wild mustangs remains largely unknown.
Mark HeinzApril 11, 2023
Wyoming Chef Says Mammoth Meatballs Could Be On Menu, But Probably Not Triceratops Steaks
With an Australian company creating a gigantic meatball from the DNA of extinct woolly mammoths, why not create steaks from the remains of Wyoming's official dinosaur, the Triceratops?
Mark HeinzApril 10, 2023
Pulling the Trigger On One Shot Antelope Hunt Could Be Complicated This Year
Wyoming’s One Shot Antelope Hunt near Lander has come under fire for pulling coveted hunting tags from rank-and-file hunters, particularly with herds suffering massive winterkill this season. However, a hunt organizer said it will likely be scaled back this year.
Mark HeinzApril 10, 2023
Future Location Of Legendary Chief Washakie Statue At UW Uncertain As Campus Redesign Moves Forward
A statue of legendary Shoshone leader Chief Washakie on the University of Wyoming campus commemorates his 1866 duel to the death with Crow Chief Big Robber, which Washakie won. The statue's future location, as well as the fate of the adjacent dining center named after Washakie, are uncertain as UW plans to redesign its campus.
Mark HeinzApril 09, 2023
Next Stop, The Moon: Wyoming's Outdoor Leadership School Trained NASA Moon-Bound Astronauts
The Lander-based National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) has been helping to prepare astronauts since 1999, and all four crew members of 2024 Artemis II moon mission recently went through NOLS courses.
Mark HeinzApril 07, 2023
Devastating Big Game Winterkill Could Leave Slim Pickings For Wyoming Hunters
Catastrophic winter kill in some of Wyoming's best mule deer and antelope hunting territory could make for lean pickings for tags for this fall, some wildlife managers said.
Mark HeinzApril 07, 2023
Wyoming Winter Killing 'Most Premier Antelope Herds In The Entire World'
Wyoming is a world-class destination when it comes to trophy antelope hunting, but the current winter is ravaging herds, and could stall the Cowboy State's legacy for years.
Mark HeinzApril 07, 2023
Feds To Provide $350 Million For New Wildlife Road Crossings
It could be a bright spot in an otherwise grim year for wildlife -- Wyoming might snag its share of $350 million in federal funding specifically for wildlife road crossings.
Mark HeinzApril 06, 2023
More Than 1,000 Yellowstone Bison Killed As Harsh Winter Pushes Herds Out Of The Park
An exceptionally hard winter that has been hammering Wyoming’s wildlife outside of Yellowstone Park has also been pushing more Bison out of the Park and into Montana. Roughly 1,000 bison have been killed by hunters, mostly from Native American tribes.
Mark HeinzApril 06, 2023
‘A Daily Occurrence Of Death’: Even Hardiest Of Animals Starting To Fall As Vicious Winter Drags On
A town hall meeting that Gov. Mark Gordon planned to host in Rawlins regarding Wyoming’s wildlife winter kill had to go fully online Tuesday after yet another heavy snowstorm shut highways down. Those who attended gave a grim outlook.
Mark HeinzApril 05, 2023
Anatolian Dogs Are Fierce Enough To Take On Grizzlies, But Might Not Work For Vast Wyoming Cattle Ranches
Anatolian Shepherds are large livestock guard dogs with the gumption and ability to successfully take on wolves and grizzlies, a Montana rancher said. However – while they work good for sheep herds – dogs aren’t as effective at protecting vast cattle outfits, a Wyoming rancher said.
Mark HeinzApril 04, 2023