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
Bill Would Require Conservation Stamp To Hunt Wyoming Shed Antlers
Describing looking for shed antlers as adult Easter egg hunts, a Montana man said bills before the Wyoming Legislature could ruin his familys yearly shed hunting trips to Jackson.
Mark HeinzFebruary 08, 2023
Family Says Man Killed In Snowy Range Snowmobile Crash Was Fitness Guru Travis Just
A man killed Saturday in a snowmobile accident in the Snowy Range mountains near Centennial was well-known fitness guru and social media influencer Travis Just.
Mark HeinzFebruary 07, 2023
Twitter Suspends Montana Senator’s Account Because He Posted Hunting Photo
Even though Elon Musk purchased Twitter, that doesn't mean those who work for him follow the new regime's policies. That was apparent when Montana Sen. Steve Daines' Twitter account was briefly suspended for posting a hunting photo. His account was reinstated a few hours later.
Mark HeinzFebruary 07, 2023
Proposed Relaxing Of Wyoming Gun Laws Would Cause Problems, Says New York Gun Control Activist
While bills before the Wyoming Legislature push to allow people to conceal carry firearms in more spaces, lifting those restrictions has caused trouble in other states, said Andy Pelosi, a gun control activist from New York.
Mark HeinzFebruary 06, 2023
Legislator Says Horse Slaughter ‘Worked Well’ Before, Could Be Answer To Wyoming’s Wild Horse Problem
There was a small step Monday toward Wyoming wild horses possibly being sent to slaughter, as the Wyoming House passed a resolution calling for Congress to allow it.
Mark HeinzFebruary 06, 2023
As Fight For Overtaxed Colorado River Comes To Boil, Wyoming Looks To Protect Its Interests
Wyoming water specialist Chris Brown warned that Wyoming has a direct interest into the growing Colorado River crisis that could affect millions of people. Wyoming's rivers account for 15% of the Colorado River's water.
Mark HeinzFebruary 05, 2023
Showdown Over Guns In State Capitol: “Gun-Free Zones Are Soft Zones For Mass Shooters”
Although a spokesperson for anti-gun group said permitting concealed carry in public spaces could create shootouts, Rep. Jeremy Haroldson said allowing citizens to carry arms wouldn't spawn gunfights, it would discourage would-be mass murderers.
Mark HeinzFebruary 04, 2023
Gun Owners vs Banks: “I Don’t Want Government To Know If I Bought A Twinkie, Let Alone A Gun”
Gun owners and bankers were at odds on Thursday over legislation that would allow people to sue banks if they track credit card purchases of guns. Wyoming bankers, however, say they have no control over credit card processing at the national level.
Mark HeinzFebruary 03, 2023
Biteman Says He’d Feel Safer Packing Heat In Capitol, Votes To Eliminate Concealed Carry Bans
When a woman began acting in a hostile manner in the gallery of the Senate on Thursday, Sen. Bo Biteman said, The person looked very agitated and not right. I was thinking, I wish I had my gun. I should be able to protect myself."
Mark HeinzFebruary 03, 2023
After Son’s Near-Miss, Snowmobiler Warns Of Avalanche Danger In Wyoming’s Snowy Range
A Minnesota snowmobiler who has been coming to the Snowy Range since 1994 said his son had a very close call with an avalanche, and warned that conditions in Wyoming are ripe for more.
Mark HeinzFebruary 02, 2023
Colorado River Fight Between Arizona & California Could Have Repercussions for Wyoming
Californias refusal to sign a key agreement means seven states, including Wyoming, have missed a self-appointed deadline to decide how to manage an ongoing crisis with the Colorado River.
Mark HeinzFebruary 02, 2023
Dog-Gone It! Varmint Blasting Enthusiasts Say It’s Getting Tougher To Blast Prairie Dogs In Wyoming
Blasting prairie dogs is a popular activity in Wyoming, but some enthusiasts say finding good shooting spots on public land is getting tougher. One North Carolina man is putting out a call on social media to see if any Wyoming ranchers want him to come and rid their land of the rodents.
Mark HeinzFebruary 01, 2023
Bears Are Still King, Even Though A Grizzly Lost A Fight To A Pack Of Wolves In Yellowstone
When grizzlies and wolves clash, the bears usually come out on top, even though wolves prevailed in one recent brawl in Yellowstone National Park.
Mark HeinzFebruary 01, 2023
Wyoming Sheep Rancher Says Wolves Decimated Family Business, Pushes For Compensation
A sixth-generation Wyoming sheep rancher told state legislators that wolves have all but ruined her family's 6th-generation sheep ranching business. She said they used to run 14,000 ewes but now they only have 740 ewes.
Mark HeinzJanuary 31, 2023
Outdoor Gear Businessman Says His Wyoming “I Hate People” Decal Is One Of His Bestsellers
Dont get Craig Bell wrong, just because one of the most popular products with his Wyoming customers is a vinyl decal proclaiming I Hate People, that doesnt mean he actually hates people. Except when he sees a trailhead full of cars...
Mark HeinzJanuary 31, 2023
Snowmobiler’s Paradise: Storm Dumps Seven Feet Of Snow Over Weekend At Snowy Range
Snowmobilers reported anywhere from four to seven feet of new snow at Snowy Range over the weekend. The result is incredible snowmobiling conditions all across the area.
Mark HeinzJanuary 30, 2023
Efforts Underway To Ensure Wyoming Residents Get First Crack At Shed Antlers
Once considered a niche activity, shed hunting for elk and deer antlers has become profitable and exploded in popularity. So much so that some legislators say Wyoming residents should have a three-day head start over non-residents
Mark HeinzJanuary 29, 2023
$10 Million ‘World-Class’ Shooting Complex Could Make Wyoming An International Destination
Wyoming has missed the mark by not having a world-class shooting complex that could draw tourism and boost the state to international status among firearms and archery enthusiasts, say proponents who are trying to launch the project.
Mark HeinzJanuary 29, 2023
Legislator: Wyoming Is The ‘The Last Hope’ For Gun Rights
Rep. Jeremy Haroldson told Cowboy State Daily that the reason there are so many gun bills in the legislature this year is Wyoming is "the last hope" for gun owners and manufacturers.
Mark HeinzJanuary 27, 2023
Bill Would Allow Treeing Of Mountain Lions With Dogs Even After Filling Hunting Tags
Letting Wyoming hunters to keep pursuing mountain lions with hounds, even after theyve filled their hunting tags, would help keep the hounds well-trained and condition the big cats to avoid people and livestock, say proponents of a bill that would allow it.
Mark HeinzJanuary 26, 2023
The Roadhouse Law: Bill Would Allow Use Of Force To Remove Criminal Trespassers
Although House Bill 126 wouldn't turn every trespassing situation into a Roadhouse movie, it would strengthen trespass law to allow physical force to remove trespassers.
Mark HeinzJanuary 26, 2023