Outdoors Reporter

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. Hes 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

A grizzly bear found shot to death outside Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming in a 2023 file photo.

Greater Yellowstone Grizzly Death Toll On Track To Match Last Year’s Record Of 72

So far this year, 71 grizzlies have died in and near Yellowstone, compared to a record of 72 in 2024. Seasoned black bear hunter Joe Kondelis of Cody said he's not surprised as he's seeing more grizzlies than ever. “This spring, I saw 35 grizzlies in 20 days,” he said.

Mark HeinzDecember 07, 2025

Buddy Gee, who is just shy of turning 82, shot this big white-tailed buck in Fremont County. He donated the meat to Wyoming First Lady Jennie Gordon’s Food From the Field program for the needy. The Gee family, of Wyoming and Michigan, has hunted with these two rifles for decades: A Remington 700 BDL, chambered in .25-06, and a Winchester Model 1886, chambered in .45-90.

Hunter, 82, Still Bagging Wyoming Big Game With Rifle He Bought In 1968

Brian Gee started hunting in Wyoming in 1968 with a rifle he bought for $121 that year. Now nearly 82, Gee still hunts — and still bags big game with the same Remington BDL.

Mark HeinzDecember 06, 2025

Skinned black bear paws eerily resemble human hands, said bear hunter Owen Miller, who provided this photo of a skinned bear paw.

‘Human Hand’ Found In Park County Dump Turns Out To Be Skinned Bear Paw

A freaky-looking severed “human hand” reportedly found at the Park County dump turned out to be a skinned bear paw. Outdoorsman Owen Miller said it is an easy mistake to make because, when skinned, they can look so much like human hands it's "creepy."

Mark HeinzDecember 06, 2025

Tucker Bass, 12, of Shoshoni caught this 2-pound, 4-ounce largemouth bass in Fremont County. It sets the new world record in the 4-pound line class, junior divison.

Father And Son Named Bass Reel In Wyoming’s First World-Record Largemouth

When John and Tucker Bass moved from Tennessee, they were unsure about Wyoming’s bass fishing. Then Tucker, 12, caught a world record-setting largemouth bass in Fremont County.

Mark HeinzDecember 04, 2025

In Colorado, Wolves Are Getting Closer To The Denver Metro Area

Colorado’s reintroduced wolves have been closing in on the Denver Metro area, but officials don’t expect trouble — as long as people don’t feed them.

Mark HeinzDecember 04, 2025

Helicopters are tight to begin with. They’re even more crowded when hauling out game.

Helicopter Hunters Challenge Ranchers Over Access To Landlocked Public Land

To access sections of Wyoming public land surrounded by private property, some hunters are chartering helicopter pilots to fly them in, upsetting adjacent ranchers.

Mark HeinzDecember 04, 2025

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Mark Heinz

Latest from Mark Heinz

Greater Yellowstone Grizzly Death Toll On Track To Match Last Year’s Record Of 72

Hunter, 82, Still Bagging Wyoming Big Game With Rifle He Bought In 1968

‘Human Hand’ Found In Park County Dump Turns Out To Be Skinned Bear Paw

Father And Son Named Bass Reel In Wyoming’s First World-Record Largemouth

In Colorado, Wolves Are Getting Closer To The Denver Metro Area

Helicopter Hunters Challenge Ranchers Over Access To Landlocked Public Land

Team

Jimmy Orr

Greg Johnson

Justin George

Clair McFarland

Wendy Corr

Mark Heinz

Renée Jean

Dale Killingbeck