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 Hunter Has 5-Minute Stand-Off With Black Bear: “If He Pounces, I’m Done”
A Wyoming hunter had to endure an extended stare-down with a huge, irritated black bear while making sure he was legally clear to shoot the bruin to fill his tag.
Mark HeinzOctober 27, 2022
Remains Identified As Wyoming Hunter Who Went Missing In 2019 Snowstorm
The Carbon County Sheriff's Office confirmed Wednesday afternoon that human remains found Oct. 16 are those of Mark A. Strittmater, 44. He went missing in a snowstorm Oct. 19, 2019, while elk hunting.
Mark HeinzOctober 26, 2022
Despite Shooting Himself, Wyoming Hunter Says Handgun Saved Him From Grizzly
Evanston hunter Lee Francis told Cowboy State Daily that despite shooting himself, his 10 mm Glock saved his life. "The grizzly was a foot away from the muzzle and it was just bam, bam, bam, bam, bam!"
Mark HeinzOctober 26, 2022
Too Many Wild Horses? Some Legislators Say Wyoming’s ‘Feral’ Horses Population Is Out Of Control
Wyomings wild or feral horse population remains essentially uncontrolled, some legislators said. Meanwhile, the states Native American tribes could set an example in horse management, a wildlife advocate said Tuesday.
Mark HeinzOctober 26, 2022
Non-Resident Wyoming Hunting Tags Could Get Huge Price Hike
Prices could rise dramatically for some nonresident Wyoming hunting licenses in a move some say will bring them more in line with averages across other Westen states.
Mark HeinzOctober 25, 2022
Two Men Charged With Beating, Robbing Wyoming Hunters
One man from Colorado and another from Wyoming have been charged with aggravated assault and battery and theft after accusing a pair of hunters in Lincoln County of taking their elk carcasses.
Mark HeinzOctober 24, 2022
Wyoming Girl Bags First Elk While Wearing Crocs
Forget the expensive, big-brand hunting boots a Wyoming girl dropped her first elk while wearing Crocs. The freshman from Lander say they bring her good luck.
Mark HeinzOctober 24, 2022
Rifle, Personal Belongings Led To Discovery Of Human Remains In Carbon County
A firearm found on the ground south of Rawlins led to the discovery of human remains Oct. 16, but the Carbon County Sheriffs Office hasnt yet released the identity of the body.
Mark HeinzOctober 24, 2022
Wyoming “Deer 255” Breaks All Long Distance Migration Records
Deer 255, a Wyoming mule deer doe, holds the record for the longest-documented land migration in the Lower 48. Her travels have been documented and watched via a collar cam for over 2,100 miles of migration across Wyoming.
Mark HeinzOctober 21, 2022
Wyoming Landowner Kills Wolves After Rare Attack On Horses
A landowner recently was allowed by Wyoming Game and Fish to put down some wolves in the Gros Ventre mountains after they killed two foals and injured three other horses.
Mark HeinzOctober 21, 2022
Human Remains Found In Carbon County, No Word If Linked To Hunter Missing Since 2019
Its unclear if human remains found in Carbon County this week belong to a hunter who went missing there during a 2019 snowstorm.
Mark HeinzOctober 20, 2022
Finding Monster Wyoming Elk’s Missing Antler In Vast Nothingness Of Red Desert Was “Miracle”
The monster bull elk was missing the left side of its massive rack. When the hunters stumbled upon the broken antlers in an area larger than eight U.S. states, they were gobsmacked. So they MacGyvered it together to get the elk home.
Mark HeinzOctober 20, 2022
Wild v. Accessible: Converse County Residents Fight Over Box Elder Canyon Improvements
Controversy has erupted over the future of the scenic Box Elder Canyon area near Glenrock. Some say they would like to see more trails there, but others want the rugged landscape left alone.
Mark HeinzOctober 20, 2022
Wyoming Hunting: Elk Hunter Who Avoids Grizzly Country Gets Charged By Black Bear
An elk hunter who purposely avoids hunting in grizzly country was charged by a black bear as he was processing his elk in the Bighorn Mountains last week.
Mark HeinzOctober 19, 2022
Wyoming Life: Trap And Skeet Shooting With Cheyenne East High Clay Target Shooting Team
The Cheyenne East High School clay shooting team is one of several student clay shooting teams that have formed in communities around Wyoming since the sport was first established here in 2019.
Mark HeinzOctober 18, 2022
Jackson Man Tries To Herd Moose With E-Bike At Kids Soccer Game, Does Not Get Stomped Into Oblivion
A Jackson man did not get obliterated when he attempted to herd a giant bull moose which joined a childrens soccer game on Saturday.
Mark HeinzOctober 18, 2022
‘Dirtbags’ Strike Again: Huge Elk Rack Stolen From Backyard In Lander
Somebody stole a trophy-sized bull elk skull and antlers from a backyard in Lander, mirroring the actions of thieves another hunter called dirtbags after his trophy mule deer rack was stolen in the Wyoming backcountry.
Mark HeinzOctober 18, 2022
Drunken Colorado Men Severely Beat Wyoming Elk Hunters In Unprovoked Attack, Father Says
A Wyoming man says his son is hospitalized with a broken jaw and other severe injuries after he and his elk hunting companion were severely beaten by drunken men with Colorado license plates on their truck.
Mark HeinzOctober 17, 2022
After Thumb Nearly Gets Ripped-Off In Crossbow Mishap, Wyoming Hunter Back Out On The Hunt
After nearly losing half of her hand in a crossbow accident and then getting hit with medical bills of almost $200,000, Casper's Trudy Archuleta hasn't given up her dream of bagging a bull elk.
Mark HeinzOctober 14, 2022
Poisonous Death Cap Mushrooms Already In Mountain West, Will Spread To Wyoming Soon
A fatal fungi known as the Death Cap Mushroom has expanded its range and is expected to show-up in Wyoming (most likely Yellowstone) soon. "It's not a good way to leave this world," a UW scientist told Cowboy State Daily.
Mark HeinzOctober 14, 2022
Make My Day: Hunting with .44 Magnum, Wyoming Man Scores One-Shot Kill Of Bull Elk
Newcastle's Chris Rhodes put down his hunting rifle and picked up a handgun about 20 years ago, and has exclusively hunted with handguns ever since.
Mark HeinzOctober 13, 2022