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
Colorado Man Says He Wants To Desecrate Grave of Former Wyoming Gov. Ed Herschler
An Englewood, Colorado, man whose great-grandfather helped build the Wyoming Capitol says efforts to establish a passenger line between Denver and Salt Lake City through Wyoming were torpedoed by then-Gov. Ed Herschler, leaving him broke and still angry.
Mark HeinzNovember 16, 2022
Horse Group Says Wild Horses Aren’t The Problem, It’s Cattle That’s Destroying The Land
A horse advocacy group said Wyoming's wild horses shouldn't be seen as invasive. The problem, she said, are cattle which are more damaging to the land. Ranchers disagree.
Mark HeinzNovember 15, 2022
Now That BLM Owns Sprawling 37,000 Acre Marton Ranch, How Much Access Will Public Have?
The Wyoming public this spring will get a chance to have their say about the future of the recreational land on the Marton Ranch property near Casper. The property offers blue-ribbon fishing, big-game hunting, and hiking.
Mark HeinzNovember 15, 2022
Saratoga Deer Poaching Case Set To Be Settled Out Of Court
A pair of Saratoga men cited for killing a deer out of season have agreed to settle their cases out of court, the Wyoming Game and Fish said.
Mark HeinzNovember 15, 2022
Wyoming Hunters Say Bucks Are Great At Doing The Limbo
A video of a large mule deer buck limbo-ing his way under a metal gate is fun to watch, but not that unusual. Wyoming hunters say if they've lived that long to get that big, they've learned to be crafty to survive.
Mark HeinzNovember 11, 2022
Could Wyoming Hunters Switch From Lead Ammo To Copper Ammo? It’s Gaining Momentum.
Copper bullets might widely replace lead-core ammunition for big-game hunting in Wyoming, because of bullet performance, as well as human and wildlife health concerns, some hunters and a gunsmith said.
Mark HeinzNovember 11, 2022
Bill Would Give Wyoming Game Wardens OK To Issue Hunting Trespass Tickets
A bill to streamline the process for Wyoming game wardens to cite people for trespassing had wide support during a legislative committee meeting this week.
Mark HeinzNovember 11, 2022
What A Way To Go: ‘Krapp Strapp’ No. 1 Way For Wyo Outdoorsmen To Do No. 2, Inventor Says
Karl Brauneis, a retired forester from Lander, told Cowboy State Daily that he thought the Krapp Strapps design was ingenious but would probably continue to just search for "a good log."
Mark HeinzNovember 10, 2022
Hunting With Birds Of Prey An Art And Skill, Say Wyoming Falconers
Falconry, one of the most ancient forms of hunting small game and game birds, is still practiced in Wyoming. But dont expect the birds of prey to be pets or behave like dogs...
Mark HeinzNovember 09, 2022
Wyoming’s First Black Elected Sheriff Pledges Transparency, Focus On Mental Health Response
Newly elected Sheriff Aaron Applehans from Albany County said he was committed to transparency and direct contact with the public.
Mark HeinzNovember 09, 2022
Trey Sherwood, D-Laramie, Holds Off Republican Challenger In Close House District 14 Race
State Rep. Trey Sherwood, D-Laramie, held off strong push by Republican challenger Bryan Shuster to retain her House District 14 seat in the Wyoming Legislature on Tuesday.
Mark HeinzNovember 09, 2022
Aaron Appelhans Becomes Wyoming’s First Elected Black Sheriff With Close Win In Albany County
Albany County Sheriff Aaron Appelhans, a Laramie Democrat, made Wyoming political history Tuesday by becoming the state's first elected black sheriff.
Mark HeinzNovember 09, 2022
Ocean Andrew, R-Laramie, Wins Reelection To House District 46 Seat
Rep. Ocean Andrew, R-Laramie, secured a solid win over Democrat challenger Merav Ben-David in House District 46.
Mark HeinzNovember 09, 2022
Chicago Attorney-Turned-Activist Wants Fish & Wildlife Director Fired To Save Wyoming Wolves, Grizzlies
A retired Chicago tax attorney-turned environmental activist is taking a new strategy to opposing state management of wolves and grizzlies in Wyoming and other Mountain West states fire the director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Mark HeinzNovember 09, 2022
113-Year-Old LaPrele Dam Needs Repair Or Replacing Soon, Officials Say
If the 113-year-old LaPrele dam in Converse County - which was only scheduled to last for 50 years - were to suddenly give way, the resulting deluge could threaten downstream homes, rip through a key bridge along Interstate 25 and destroy the Ayers Natural Bridge Park.
Mark HeinzNovember 09, 2022
Not A Good Year For Deer Hunting In Wyoming; Warm Weather, Drought And Disease To Blame
Wildlife disease, particularly blue tongue disease, hit deer populations in parts of Wyoming hard this year, seriously diminishing hunting opportunities in the Black Hills area.
Mark HeinzNovember 08, 2022
Wyoming Eagle Named ‘Prehistoric Demon’ Thrives In New Pennsylvania Home
A golden eagle captured in Wyoming as part of a program to mitigate depredation of Cowboy State sheep herds is doing well in his new home in Pennsylvania.
Mark HeinzNovember 07, 2022
Much-Maligned 30×30 Conservation Program Would Provide $21 Million For Wildlife Crossings
Although there are plenty of misgivings about the 30x30 conservation program, it could end up providing $21 million for wildlife highway crossings, a Wyoming conservationist told legislators on Friday.
Mark HeinzNovember 06, 2022
Motorsports Dealer Says He’s Committed To Bringing Adult Barbie Jeep Racing To Wyoming
Barbie Jeep Racing or grown adults cramming themselves into childrens toy plastic vehicles and careening down hills has taken off in several states. A Cheyenne motorsports dealer said he wants Wyoming to be next.
Mark HeinzNovember 04, 2022
Golden Eagle Attacked 8-Year-Old In Kyrgyzstan But Probably Won’t Happen In Wyoming
Although a young girl was attacked by a golden eagle in Kyrgyzstan thats not likely to happen in Wyoming, wildlife biologists say. But sheep and small pets are a different story...
Mark HeinzNovember 03, 2022
Bill Allowing Off Road Vehicles To Go Under I-80 Could Bring Tons Of Trail Riders To SW Wyoming
Allowing off-road vehicles to cross under Interstate 80 near Evanston could be key to linking an extensive network of roads and trails and draw off road enthusiasts from around Wyoming and Utah.
Mark HeinzNovember 03, 2022