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
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
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