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
81-Year-Old Man Selling His Prairie Dog Vacuuming Business
An 81-year-old Colorado man who spent more than 30 years vacuuming up prairie dogs as part of his pest control business says hes ready to sell his equipment and pass along his knowledge, should the right person come along.
Mark HeinzAugust 19, 2022
Three Missing Cubs Not On Wyoming Grizzly Mortality List Probably Dead
A federal biologist told Cowboy State Daily that the total number of grizzly deaths in Wyoming is likely three more than the official tally of 28. That's because three missing grizzly cubs in Grand Teton National Park are likely dead.
Mark HeinzAugust 19, 2022
More Than 6,000 Vehicle-Wildlife Collisions Happen Every Year In Wyoming
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has initiated 240 separate projects to address the 6,000+ vehicle-wildlife collisions that happen every year in Wyoming.
Mark HeinzAugust 19, 2022
Wyoming Hunting: “90/10” Big Game Hunting Allocation Might Be Down, But Not Out
The current idea for a 90/10 split for allocation of big game hunting tags in Wyoming has stalled with a wildlife policy advisory board, but an advocate for the idea said he and others hope to keep pushing the matter in the Wyoming Legislature.
Mark HeinzAugust 18, 2022
Large Bull Elk Poached Off Highway Near Wheatland; Head, Antlers Sawed Off
A large bull elk was illegally shot earlier this month near Wheatland along a highway that runs between two of southeast Wyomings premier elk hunt areas. It's head and antlers were sawed-off while the carcass was left to rot.
Mark HeinzAugust 18, 2022
Mustangs vs. Muleys: Wild Horses Out-Competing Mule Deer For Food, Water
Mustangs, or wild horses -- which some people consider to be feral animals could be hurting mule deer herds in parts of Wyoming, as they compete with the deer for food and water.
Mark HeinzAugust 17, 2022
No Albino Moose Lately In Wyoming But There Has Been An Albino Catfish And Albino Antelope
Because they are so rare, wild albino animals cause a stir when theyre spotted. A video of an albino Moose in Sweden has gone viral and viewed millions of times. In recent years, an albino antelope and an albino catfish were found in Wyoming.
Mark HeinzAugust 17, 2022
Wyoming Hunting Forecast: Elk Exceptional This Fall; Deer, Antelope Should Be Good Too
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department released its annual hunting forecast and elk is at the top of the list for good hunting followed by deer and antelope.
Mark HeinzAugust 17, 2022
28 Grizzlies Killed So Far This Year In Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
Of the 28 grizzlies killed so far this year in the Greater Yellowstone Area, 11 were killed by wildlife management after human-bear conflicts.
Mark HeinzAugust 15, 2022
Monsoon Hammers Laramie Saturday, Heavy Rains Could Return Toward Weekend
A monsoon storm hammered Laramie on Saturday afternoon turning streets in to rivers and one green space into an impromptu lake. More severe weather is expected this week.
Mark HeinzAugust 15, 2022
Where Is Grizzly 399? Famous Bear Who Hasn’t Been Seen In Over A Month May Have “Eloped”
Unlike last year when a day wouldn't pass without a sighting of Grizzly 399 and her cubs, this year it's different. The famous bear hasn't been spotted in over a month. Wildlife advocates think she has "eloped" with her new boyfriend.
Mark HeinzAugust 12, 2022
Speed Goats, Swamp Donkeys, Assault Cows: Nicknames Abound For Wyoming’s Wild Critters
There are plenty of nicknames for Wyoming's wildlife. Some go back to pioneers who were baffled by the animals.
Mark HeinzAugust 12, 2022
Biologists Say Established Wolf Packs Outside of Wyoming’s Northwest Corner Are Unlikely
A few wolves might wander far, but established packs outside of Wyomings northwest corner are unlikely, biologists say.
Mark HeinzAugust 11, 2022
Wyoming Firewood Dealers Say High Fuel Costs Have Forced Them To Raise Prices
Firewood dealers -- ranging from small, local sellers to a region-wide commercial operation -- said higher fuel costs will translate into higher prices for their products this year
Mark HeinzAugust 10, 2022
Worst Of Mountain Pine Beetle Epidemic In Wyoming Over, Experts Say
Despite the vast number of dead trees clearly visible from many of Wyomings roadways, the worst of the mountain pine beetle epidemic that ravaged forests appears to be over but different species of beetles and parasites continue to kill trees.
Mark HeinzAugust 10, 2022
Cause of Laramie Power Outage Unknown, Was Not Exploding Animal
Damage to a electric substation kept 1/3rd of Laramie without power for nearly nine hours on Tuesday. Cause of the damage is unknown but squirrels or other animals are not believed to have caused the problem.
Mark HeinzAugust 10, 2022
Lawsuit Could Halt Wolf Hunts In Wyoming, Montana, Idaho
A lawsuit filed Tuesday aims to restore Endangered Species protection to wolves in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. A victory would halt all wolf hunting in those states.
Mark HeinzAugust 10, 2022
Massive Power Outage in Laramie; More Than 9,000 Lose Power
A massive power outage of undetermined cause struck Laramie Tuesday afternoon. As of 5 p.m., Rocky Mountain Power was reporting that it could take until at least 1 a.m. to restore electricity to the more than 9,000 people affected.
Mark HeinzAugust 09, 2022
Wyoming Wildfire Season: Not Quite Out Of The (Burning) Woods Yet
It's too early to call an "all-clear," but one wildfire expert said that the worst of wildfire season has passed for Wyoming but hot weather, drought, and some danger remains on parts of the national forests and grasslands in Wyoming.
Mark HeinzAugust 09, 2022
State, Fed Biologists Warn Public To Stay Away From Grizzly Trapping Sites
Federal and state biologists are warning citizens to stay away from the bright orange "do not enter" signs where grizzly trapping is taking place. Bears that are recovering from tranquilizers may be "irritated" which could lead to a less-than-optimal encounter.
Mark HeinzAugust 09, 2022
Don’t Let Pristine Appearance Fool You, Wild Wyoming Water Isn’t Safe To Drink
A tourist in Yellowstone was caught filling her family's water bottles from a creek. Thankfully, a smart person warned her that drinking untreated water -- even in Wyoming -- is dangerous.
Mark HeinzAugust 08, 2022