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
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
There’s More Molten Lava Under Yellowstone But Wyoming Unlikely To Be Obliterated, Volcano Expert Says
A new study indicates theres more molten lava underneath Yellowstone than previously thought, but that doesnt mean Wyomingites should worry about dying in a fiery agonizing hellscape.
Mark HeinzDecember 05, 2022
Jackson Outdoorsman Dies From Botulism; Tainted Soup Suspected
After a two-month struggle against an insidious botulism infection, Hans Russell, 56, of Jackson died Wednesday in a Salt Lake hospital. It is thought that Russell contracted botulism from tainted soup while on a river trip in Idaho.
Mark HeinzDecember 03, 2022
Homemade ‘Smith And Methson’ Firearm Unlikely To Catch On With Wyoming Crooks
A makeshift firearm seized by cops and has become the laughingstock of the Internet was probably more dangerous to its user than anybody else, says a Wyoming gunsmith and former law enforcement officer.
Mark HeinzDecember 02, 2022
Tainted Soup Likely Led To Wyoming Man’s Paralysis From Botulism
While Botulism is rare, the effects can be devastating. Jackson outdoorsman Hans Russell has for weeks been completely paralyzed from Botulism that doctors believe he contracted from tainted soup.
Mark HeinzDecember 02, 2022
Wyoming Likely Safe From ‘Cocaine Bear’ Rampage; No Recorded Incidents To Date
A Wyoming Game and Fish biologist told Cowboy State Daily there have been no recorded incidents of grizzly bears eating bricks of cocaine and going on horrific rampages, unlike a new movie called 'Cocaine Bear' which is loosely based on a true story.
Mark HeinzDecember 02, 2022
Black Bear Hunting Outlook Good For Wyoming, But No Grizzly Hunting Anytime Soon
Outdoorsmen say the outlook is great for black bear hunting in Wyoming primarily because of the way the bears are managed with the quota system. As for grizzly hunting, however, go to Alaska because it's not happening here anytime soon.
Mark HeinzDecember 01, 2022
Bird Flu Suspected In Deaths Of 77 Ducks In Central Wyoming
After 77 mallard ducks and a Canadian goose were found dead or dying at Ocean Lake in central Wyoming, the state Game and Fish Department is investigating a possible bird flu outbreak.
Mark HeinzNovember 30, 2022
‘Thwop!’ Disabled Man Fills Cow Elk Tag With Help From Wyoming Volunteers
A Bridger, Montana, man was one of the latest of more than 300 disabled people whove been given a chance to hunt in Wyoming through the efforts of a Cody-based all volunteer group.
Mark HeinzNovember 30, 2022
Miracle Hunt: Brain Cancer Survivor Bags Wyoming Elk
Childhood brain cancer left Kenneth Chip Madren disabled, but that didnt stop him from a hunt of a lifetime and bagging a Wyoming bull elk.
Mark HeinzNovember 25, 2022
Hunters Keep Shooting Each Other In Nebraska; Wyoming Hunters Say That Can Be Avoided
In the span of three days this month, three hunters in Nebraska were shot by other hunters in their own shooting parties. Wyoming hunters say there are ways to avoid shooting other people while hunting.
Mark HeinzNovember 24, 2022
Thanksgiving Hell: Wyoming Plumbers Brace For ‘Brown Friday’
Although the Thanksgiving holiday might be a time of food, football, and family for many people, there's a price to pay for the festivity. "Brown Friday" is real and it's the busiest day of the year for many Wyoming plumbers.
Mark HeinzNovember 22, 2022
State Lands Might Be Used For Affordable Housing, Commercial Properties, Adventure Races
Wyoming legislators on Tuesday discussed opening up state lands to be used for affordable housing, commercial development like Walmarts, glamping, cell phone towers, and hosting adventure races.
Mark HeinzNovember 22, 2022
Yellowstone Floating Foot: Pathologist Says Human Body Likely Dissolved, Foot Protected By Shoe
A forensic pathologist told Cowboy State Daily that a high-quality shoe likely preserved the foot of a man who died in a Yellowstone hot pool this summer while the rest of his body completely dissolved.
Mark HeinzNovember 22, 2022
Badger Battles Skunks in Rancid Roadway Rodeo In Northeast Wyoming
A Gillette woman who captured video of three skunks and a badger fighting on a road in Crook County, Wyoming, says shed never seen anything like it. A wildlife biologist says the two species do occasionally butt heads.
Mark HeinzNovember 21, 2022
Wildlife Task Force Recommends Cranking Up Out-Of-State “Big 5” Trophy Hunting Licenses
Members of the Wyoming Wildlife Task Force said by raising the prices of out-of-state hunting licenses significantly for trophy species (bison $6,000, grizzly $7,500, if allowed), prices for Wyoming resident hunting tags would remain low.
Mark HeinzNovember 19, 2022
F-Bombs, Cut Fences, Trespassing: Animosity At Boiling Point Between Landowners & Hunters
At Friday's Wyoming Wildlife Task Force meeting, members said landowners and hunters aren't happy with each other. Members mentioned "great animosity" between the two groups.
Mark HeinzNovember 18, 2022
‘Once In A Lifetime’: Wyoming Hunter Recounts Rare Mountain Goat Get
A Laramie man told Cowboy State Daily that his 30-mile hike in 10,000+ foot terrain inhabited by grizzlies was worth it to fill his once-in-a-lifetime mountain goat tag and has photos, video and a "dork stamp" to remember it.
Mark HeinzNovember 18, 2022
Push For Grizzlies In Washington State A Sign They Should Be De-Listed, Says Wyoming Forester
Federal wildlife authorities are pushing for the reintroduction of grizzlies into the state of Washington. It could work, Wyoming outdoorsmen say, if the state is prepared -- and empowered -- to manage the bears.
Mark HeinzNovember 17, 2022
Cutting Your Own Christmas Tree, A Strong Wyoming Tradition
Despite the availability of farm-raised and artificial Christmas trees, state foresters say Wyomingites are still going out to the woods to cut their own trees.
Mark HeinzNovember 16, 2022
‘It’s Coming For Us All’: Wyoming Hunter Bags Buck, Learns It Has Wasting Disease
A Wyoming hunter said learning her deer was infected with chronic wasting disease caused her throw some of it away, and she remains on the fence about whether to consume the rest.
Mark HeinzNovember 16, 2022