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
Wyoming Redneck Chronicles, Part 2: Cheyenne Mechanic's .50 Caliber Black Powder Cannon
A fully-functional miniature black powder cannon sounds like the dream of many a Wyoming manâs inner 14-year-old. Cheyenne mechanic Geno Stecks agrees his .50 caliber piece â modeled after a Revolutionary War Naval gun â is an absolute hoot.Â
Mark HeinzFebruary 09, 2025
Are Wyoming Mountain Lions Better At Killing Each Other Than Hunters Are At Killing Them?
The best hunters of mountain lions? Mountain lions. A study of mountain lions in the Snowy Range Mountains suggests that the big cats can control their own population just as well, or better, than hunters can.
Mark HeinzFebruary 09, 2025
Meet Tiny, A 2,000-Pound Texas Longhorn And Officially Registered Emotional Support Animal
Fed up with the âemotional support animal crock of crap,â a Texan decided it would be funny to try registering his massive longhorn steer as an emotional support animal. It worked.
Mark HeinzFebruary 08, 2025
Feds Will Listen To Wyoming This Time About BLM Rock Springs Plan, Former Trump Interior Official SaysÂ
A former high-ranking Dept of Interior official told Cowboy State Daily that the BLM's Rock Springs area plan will likely be heavily revised toward Wyomingâs liking and will be "very respectful" of Gov. Mark Gordon's recommendations.
Mark HeinzFebruary 07, 2025
Without Stiffer Trespass Law, There Could Be Gunfights, âBlood On The Prairie,â Lawmaker Says
A bill that would have stiffened Wyomingâs hunting trespass penalties died in committee on Thursday. The billâs sponsor warned of violence if more isnât done to curb trespassing. "I fear there will be shootouts and blood on the prairie,â Rep. Allemand said
Mark HeinzFebruary 06, 2025
Trump Administration Shuts Down Controversial Biden-Era Rock Springs Management PlanÂ
Sweetwater County officials were thrilled at news that a controversial federal land management plan had been shut down by the Trump administration. Newly-appointed Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum made the decision late Wednesday.
Mark HeinzFebruary 06, 2025
Wyoming Game And Fish Director Says âStars Are Alignedâ For Grizzly Delisting
Wyoming Game and Fish Director Angi Bruce told legislators Tuesday that getting grizzlies delisted is a top priority for the agency. âI think the stars are aligned,â she said.
Mark HeinzFebruary 04, 2025
In Brief: Bill To Regulate Out-Of-State Fishing Passes House
A bill intended to prevent Wyomingâs prized fishing waters from being mobbed by out-of-state guides passed the Wyoming House on Monday and is headed for the Senate.
Mark HeinzFebruary 04, 2025
Shooting Complex Budget Swells To $19.5M, Including $3.5M More From State
The anticipated budget for a âworld-classâ shooting complex near Cody, Wyoming, is up from $10 million to $19.5 million, including another $3.5 million from the state.
Mark HeinzFebruary 04, 2025
Wyomingites Could Concealed Carry In All 50 States Under Bills Trump Favors
Wyomingites might be able to carry concealed firearms in all 50 states, if Trump-backed legislation passes Congress. A pair of bills making their way through Congress would make concealed carry permits valid in all states.
Mark HeinzFebruary 04, 2025
Like Wolves, Wyomingâs Stray Cats Arenât Protected From Torture
Wyomingâs stray cats could end up benefiting from a push to protect wolves from torture. Like wolves, theyâre considered predators, and some advocate for controlling their numbers through spaying or neutering rather than shooting them.
Mark HeinzFebruary 02, 2025
Apparently, Few Knew Itâs Illegal To Blast Wyoming Prairie Dogs From A Vehicle
A Casper-area man said it took him by surprise to learn that shooting prairie dogs from a vehicle is illegal. Another avid hunter said he also didnât know because itâs such a common practice in Wyoming.
Mark HeinzFebruary 01, 2025
Lobbyist: Tracking Sales Part Of ESG Scheme To Put Gun Stores Out Of Business
A Second Amendment advocate says Wyomingâs law against tracking credit card sales of guns and ammunition is âweakâ and plays into an ESG scheme to put gun stores out of business. He also says it could put people at risk of getting on a federal registry.
Mark HeinzJanuary 31, 2025
Less Than A Year After Dog Named Jester Died In Trap, Trapping Reform Moves Forward
A tearful Becky Barber of Afton, Wyoming, testified for a state Senate committee about how her dog Jester had his throat crushed by a beaver trap last February. She was among those supporting a trapping reform bill, which unanimously passed.
Mark HeinzJanuary 30, 2025
Legislators Say They Want To Protect Real Service Animals, Not âFluffy Dogâ Pets
A bill passed by a Senate committee Wednesday says people should be allowed to train their service dogs in public in Wyoming. It also calls for severe penalties for those who want allowances for their âfluffy dogâ pets.
Mark HeinzJanuary 30, 2025
Open Season On Wyoming Mountain Lions Would Be Overkill, Hunters Say
A proponent of an open season on mountain lions says a bill allowing year-round hunting would save Wyomingâs prized mule deer. But some mountain lion hunters argue it could wipe out the big cats.
Mark HeinzJanuary 29, 2025
Bill Would Reverse Ban On Shooting Prairie Dogs From Your Truck
A Wyoming man told legislators that he and his friends were flabbergasted when a game warden confronted them about illegally shooting prairie dogs from a pickup. A House committee voted Tuesday for a bill that would make that legal.
Mark HeinzJanuary 29, 2025
Some Say Legislative Response To Wyoming Wolf Torture Doesnât Go Far Enough
Lawmakers unanimously advanced a bill that would outlaw torturing wolves and other predators Tuesday. But some Wyomingites say running animals over with snowmobiles should also be banned.
Mark HeinzJanuary 29, 2025
Bill To Split Whitetail-Mule Deer Season Dies On Senate Floor
After another round of debate over whether to split hunting seasons for Wyomingâs white-tailed deer and mule deer, the latest effort to do so died on the Senate floor Monday.
Mark HeinzJanuary 28, 2025
Casper Turkeys Wear Out Their Welcome: 145 Removed So Far Through Trapping Program
If a trap-and-release program succeeds, Casper will no longer be wild turkey central. So far, 145 of the big, obnoxious birds have been caught and released back into the wild.
Mark HeinzJanuary 27, 2025
Allowing Landowners To Sell Hunting Tags Would Make Wyoming Wildlife Sport For The Rich, Opponents Say
A proposal to allow landowners to sell their hunting tags would make hunting in Wyoming the sport of kings, opponents say. It would amount to ânothing more than the exploitation and monetization of our wildlife resources," said Muley Fanatics Foundation CEO Josh Coursey.
Mark HeinzJanuary 27, 2025