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
Mudslide Strands Tourists Outside Yellowstone; Florida Man Totals Car Trying To Drive Thru It
A mudslide near the east gate of Yellowstone stranded travelers for hours on Wednesday night. A Florida man was impatient and tried to drive through it but ended up totaling his car.
Mark HeinzAugust 25, 2022
Ducks, Not So Much, But Wyoming Goose Hunts Could Be Great
Time might start to drag in duck blinds this fall across the Cowboy State, but out in the fields among big spreads of honker decoys, things could get lively.
Mark HeinzAugust 25, 2022
Hunters Claim “Intimidation” Used In Elk Mountain Corner Crossing Case
Threats and intimidation were illegally used against four Missouri hunters charged with trespassing on the Iron Bar Ranch near Elk Mountain, according to documents filed in U.S. Civil Court by the hunters attorney.
Mark HeinzAugust 24, 2022
How Ranchers Actually Live: New Film Series Features Ranches Near Laramie, Lander, Lovell
A new film series will be unveiled next month about ranching life in Wyoming and will feature the Terry Creek ranch near Laramie, the Hellyer family ranch outside of Lander, and the E.O. Bischoff ranch near Lovell.
Mark HeinzAugust 24, 2022
Game And Fish Want Elk Blood From Hunters’ Kills To Track Outbreaks Of Brucellosis
Samples of elk blood taken from hunters kills are key to tracking outbreaks of Brucellosis, the Wyoming state veterinarian said. This disease can be transmitted from wildlife to cattle and threaten the livelihood of Wyomings ranchers.
Mark HeinzAugust 24, 2022
Wildlife On Highway 34: Driving Thru Sybille Canyon Is Like “Game Of Frogger”
Wildlife on Highway 34 through Sybille Canyon is particularly bad this time of year. The Game and Fish Dept is most concerned about a herd of Bighorn sheep which is hanging out near the highway in the canyon.
Mark HeinzAugust 23, 2022
Mule Deer Palooza Planned In Wyoming To Raise Money For Mule Deer Conservation Projects
The fundraisers for the Mule Deer Foundation used to be called "Gun-A-Palooza" but social media companies have outlawed anything to do with guns so they've renamed the fundraiser "Mule Deer Palooza."
Mark HeinzAugust 22, 2022
Chronic Wasting Disease Testing Mandatory In Four More Wyoming Deer Hunt Areas
Mandatory testing of hunters kills for chronic wasting disease has been implemented this year in four popular deer hunt areas in the Laramie Mountains of southeast Wyoming. It will also continue in two deer hunt areas in Fremont County.
Mark HeinzAugust 22, 2022
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