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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. 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.

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Latest from Mark Heinz

A rabbit species called Omiltemi cottontail thought to be extinct for 120 years was recently found in Mexico, mirroring the rediscovery of black-footed ferrets near Meeteetse, Wyoming, in 1981.

Rediscovery Of ‘Extinct’ Rabbit Mirrors Finding Wyoming Black-Footed Ferrets

A rabbit species thought to be extinct for 120 years was recently found in Mexico, mirroring the rediscovery of black-footed ferrets near Meeteetse, Wyoming, in 1981.

Mark HeinzMarch 05, 2025

A “clean-kill” predator law prompted by the high-profile torture of a wolf leads a list of new Wyoming wildlife laws. This 2025 session also saw new regulations for fishing guides and dogs caught in traps.

Wolf Torture Leads List Of New High-Profile Wyoming Wildlife Laws

A “clean-kill” predator law prompted by the high-profile torture of a wolf leads a list of new Wyoming wildlife rules. This 2025 session also saw new regulations for fishing guides and dogs caught in traps.

Mark HeinzMarch 05, 2025

Wyoming needs to kick its timber cutting into high gear or risk another catastrophic wildfire season, foresters told the Legislature on Tuesday. The danger is especially high in the Black Hills region, they say. Above, Wyoming State Forester Kelly Norris, left, and U.S. Forest Service regional forester Troy Heithecker testify for legislators.

Wyoming Can’t Cut Trees Fast Or Soon Enough, Timber Industry Says

Wyoming needs to kick its timber cutting into high gear or risk another catastrophic wildfire season, foresters told the Legislature on Tuesday. The danger is especially high in the Black Hills region, they say.

Mark HeinzMarch 04, 2025

Dylan Schilt with his four brothers in a Colorado hospital after Schilt, a Laramie firefighter, was hurt when a burning house collapsed on him.

Laramie Firefighter Paralyzed After Being Crushed In House Fire Collapse

A Laramie firefighter is facing a long rehabilitation after being paralyzed when a stone fireplace chase collapsed on him while fighting a house fire late Friday. His father told Cowboy State Daily that doctors believe his spinal cord is still intact.

Mark HeinzMarch 03, 2025

Nate Miller of Thermopolis has hunted numerous Wyoming species – such as elk and wolves. But he never dreamed he’d draw the state’s “super tag trifecta,” which will allow him to hunt three premier trophy game species this fall. He said elk is is favorite, but he's excited for some other tags he's never had before.

Wyoming Hunter Beats Huge Odds, Draws ‘Super Tag Trifecta’ To Hunt 3 Species

Nate Miller of Thermopolis put in for Wyoming’s Super Tag hunting tag raffle, not expecting to win anything. He beat astronomical odds to drew the most coveted prize of all, the three-species “trifecta” tag.

Mark HeinzMarch 01, 2025

With its pending elimination of gun-free zones, Wyoming will join New Hampshire, Alabama, Oregon and Utah in allowing people to carry concealed firearm in public school, without requiring the schools’ permission.

Wyoming Is Fifth State To Allow Guns In Public Schools Without Special Permission

With its pending elimination of gun-free zones, Wyoming will join New Hampshire, Alabama, Oregon and Utah in allowing people to carry concealed firearm in public school — without requiring the schools’ permission.

Mark HeinzFebruary 28, 2025

Plans for a huge, world-class shooting complex on this tract of land near Cody, Wyoming, are in limbo. A $10 million allocation for the $19.5 million projecrt was cut when the Legislature decided not to approve a suplemental budget this year. An effort to tag the money onto a nother bill failed, with some like Sen. Chris Rothfus, left, saying the money wasn't supposed to be approved that way. Othes like Sen. Stephan Pappas, right, saying the money's allready been approved.

Plans For $19.5M Wyoming Shooting Complex Stall As Senate Pulls Promised $10M

Boosters of a $19.5 million shooting complex south of Cody, Wyoming, hoped to start construction in April. Those hopes were dashed Friday when the state Senate declined to release $10 million in promised money for the project.

Mark HeinzFebruary 28, 2025

Mountain lions are known for their long, thick tails, but experts are baffled over somebody cutting the tail off a mountain lion that might have been killed illegally in Montana.

Nobody Can Figure Out Why Someone Cut Off And Took Mountain Lion’s Tail

Investigators are baffled by the case of somebody killing a mountain lion in Montana, and then cutting off and taking the animal’s head and tail. Taking a head makes sense, officials say, but the tail is baffling.

Mark HeinzFebruary 27, 2025

A snowmobile chases a wolf across a snowy landscape in Canada.

Anti-Wolf Torture Bill Clears The Legislature, Headed To Gordon’s Desk

A bill calling for possible felony charges against people who torture predators cleared the Legislature on Wednesday and is headed to Gov. Mark Gordon’s desk.

Mark HeinzFebruary 27, 2025

Randy Moore and Island Lake in Bridger Teton National Forest 2 26 25

Forest Service Chief’s Departure Fine By Us, Says Wyoming Delegation

Wyoming’s congressional delegation say they’re just fine with Wednesday’s surprise announcement that U.S. Forest Service chief Randy Moore is quitting. Rep. Harriet Hageman said it was welcome news as he mismanaged the agency.

Sean Barry & Mark HeinzFebruary 27, 2025

Spirit was the last cub of Wyoming's most famous bear, Grizzly 399, and was born in 2023. Spirit hasn't been seen since 399 was struck and killed by a car in October 2024, but many people think the cub might have survived the winter and will reappear soon.

Wyoming Grizzlies Could Start Waking Up Any Day, Will Grizzly 399’s Cub Show?

Wyoming’s grizzlies should start emerging from hibernation any time now, but nobody’s sure if Grizzly 399’s cub, Spirit, will be among them.

Mark HeinzFebruary 26, 2025

Concealed firearms carriers can legally shoot attacking dogs but should be prepared to back their stories up, self-defense experts say. It can be more complicated in a populated area, even leading to potential endangering charges.

You Can Shoot A Vicious Dog In Wyoming, But Be Prepared To Back It Up

Concealed firearms carriers can legally shoot attacking dogs but should be prepared to back their stories up, self-defense experts say. It can be more complicated in a populated area, even leading to potential endangering charges.

Mark HeinzFebruary 25, 2025

Other Authors

Cowboys compete in the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, billed as the "Daddy of 'em All," in this file photo.

Bill Aims To Protect Wyoming Rodeo From Animal Activists

Cody Republican Rachel Rodriguez-Williams says Wyoming’s rodeos need protection from animal rights activists. Her bill to protect rodeo passed out of committee Tuesday, while detractors claim it could open the door to puppy mills and dog fighting.

Mark HeinzFebruary 25, 2025

An exchange of roughly 100,000 acres between the federal government and a ranch in southcentral Wyoming would improve recreational access, supporters say. But Cowboy State hunters say the swap would be a raw deal.

Wyoming Hunters Say Proposed 100,000-Acre Land Swap Would Be A Raw Deal

An exchange of roughly 100,000 acres between the federal government and a ranch in southcentral Wyoming would improve recreational access, supporters say. But Cowboy State hunters say the swap would be a raw deal.

Mark HeinzFebruary 25, 2025

A fishing guide with a client on the Lewis River in Yellowstone National Park in this file photo.

Bill To Regulate Fishing Guides In Wyoming Clears State Senate

Fishing guides on both sides of the Wyoming-Colorado state line voiced support for a bill that could prevent the mobbing of Wyoming’s prized trout waters. The bill to regulate fishing guides cleared the Senate on Monday.

Mark HeinzFebruary 24, 2025

Firearms instructor Jason Crotteau shoots an SDS Tisas 2011 pistol – which is a Turkish clone of a far more expensive Staccatto 2011 pistol.

‘Turkish Revolution’ Hits American Firearms Scene With Cheap, Plentiful Imports

Turkish firearms were once considered a joke in the United States. Now they’re becoming wildly popular with American shooters, frequently selling for a fraction of the price of domestic brands.

Mark HeinzFebruary 23, 2025

Colorado gun ban 2 22 25

Colorado Senate Passes Sweeping Ban On Semiautomatic Firearms

Colorado lawmakers are one step closer to passing a sweeping gun ban on semiautomatic rifles, shotguns and pistols. A Wyoming gun rights advocate called it one of the nation’s most restrictive gun laws.

Mark HeinzFebruary 22, 2025

A Winchester Model 1894 rifle has been in Bob Budd’s family for a century. It still shoots straight and symbolizes a connection with the past.

Wyoming Family’s Winchester Rifle Has Been Dropping Deer For A Century

A Winchester Model 1894 rifle has been in Cheyenne resident Bob Budd’s family for a century. He says it still shoots straight and symbolizes a connection with the past as his grandfather and father killed their first deer with it, as did Budd and his two sons.

Mark HeinzFebruary 22, 2025

For the second year in a row, the Wyoming Legislature is close to giving Gov. Mark Gordon a bill to eliminate gun-free zones in the state. Gordon vetoed it last year, but isn’t saying if he’ll sign, veto or let it pass without a signature this year.

Repeal Of Gun-Free Zones Is Close To Gov. Gordon’s Desk — Will He Veto It Again?

For the second year in a row, the Wyoming Legislature is close to giving Gov. Mark Gordon a bill to eliminate gun-free zones in the state. Gordon vetoed it last year, but isn’t saying if he’ll sign, veto or let it pass without a signature this year.

Mark HeinzFebruary 21, 2025

A snowmobile chases a wolf across a snowy landscape in Canada.

'Clean Kill' For Predators Bill Advances — Without Wolf-Whacking Ban

A controversial “clean kill” for predators bill advanced Thursday. That it doesn’t include a ban running over wolves with snowmobiles — aka wolf whacking — remains a sticking point for many.

Mark HeinzFebruary 21, 2025

Opponents of coyote hunting contests say they involve needless killing. But supporters say these events involve ethical coyote hunting, with firearms or archery equipment.

Coyote Hunting Contest Prompts Wyomingites To Weigh Pros, Cons Of Events

Supporters of coyote hunting contests say that they’re helping big game herds. Opponents claim the events accomplish nothing and make Wyoming look bad.

Mark HeinzFebruary 21, 2025

State Rep. Brian Boner says as bill to allow shooting prairie dogs from vehicles isn't about sport, it's about pest management.

Wyoming Legislator Pushes Back On Claim Shooting Prairie Dogs Is “Psychopathic”

A retired professor told a Wyoming legislative committee Thursday that shooting prairie dogs is “psychopathic.” That raised the hackles of the sponsor of a bill to allow shooting the critters from vehicles. It’s about pest management, he says.

Mark HeinzFebruary 20, 2025

Coyotes getty 2 19 25

Coyote Hunt Organizer Says She's Getting Death Threats Over Upcoming Event

An organizer of a coyote predator hunting contest in Sublette County says she’s getting death threats because people are perceiving it to be a “celebration” of the torture and killing of a wolf there last year.

Mark HeinzFebruary 19, 2025

Wyoming legislators and lobbyists talk in the hallway at the state Capitol before a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting where repealing gun-free zones was discussed.

Repeal of Wyoming’s Gun-Free Zones Clear Major Hurdle, Headed To Senate

A bill to repeal Wyoming’s gun-free zone was unanimously approved by a Wyoming Senate committee on Tuesday, and will head to the Senate Floor. Testimony included input from “More Guns, Less Crime” author John Lott.

Mark HeinzFebruary 19, 2025

Ryan Williams Spencer Albritton killed this 500-pound black bear in North Carolina, where such a bear would be on the small side.

Eastern Black Bears Are Blimps, Dwarfing Wyoming Grizzlies

In Wyoming, a black bear over 400 pounds is considered a rare trophy. But back East, it would be puny. Bears there gorge on fresh crops and sometimes top 800 pounds.

Mark HeinzFebruary 18, 2025

This huge wolf track in Moffat County, Colorado, is thought to have been made by a female wolf that was relocated from Oregon to Colorado in late 2023.

Colorado “Mystery Wolf” Might Be From Wyoming

Fifteen wolves from Canada, have been spreading out across northwest Colorado after being released last month. There’s also reportedly another mystery wolf running around, although nobody is sure where it came from. It might be from Wyoming.

Mark HeinzFebruary 17, 2025

People might think letting their cats out helps their pets live their best kitty lives, but they’re actually murder machines, killing billions of birds and small animals.

Outdoor Cats Are "Murder Machines" Killing Over 1 Billion Birds Every Year, Say Biologists

Letting pet cats out to roam might seem like it’s doing them a favor, but don’t be fooled — Fluffy is a murder machine. “The estimates are that cats in the U.S. kill a billion birds a year. A billion,” one wildlife biologist told Cowboy State Daily.

Mark HeinzFebruary 16, 2025

Gillette-area machinist Karl Milner builds black powder cannons and mortars, and hosts cannon shoots on his rural property — and kids are included.

Gillette Man Builds Black Powder Cannons, Lets Kids Shoot Them

What began as an outreach for troubled youth led to a Gillette machinist's shop becoming a black powder cannon and mortar factory. Now he builds cannons and lets kids shoot in a safe, controlled environment with adult supervision.

Mark HeinzFebruary 16, 2025

Though his bill to ban running predators over with snowmobiles failed, Wyoming Rep. Mike Schmid says he’s determined to “close the door” on the practice in Wyoming.

Wyoming Must 'Close The Door' On Running Over Wolves With Snowmobiles, Schmid Says

Though his bill to ban running predators over with snowmobiles failed, Wyoming Rep. Mike Schmid says he’s determined to “close the door” on the practice in Wyoming.

Mark HeinzFebruary 16, 2025

Demonstrating a suppressor attached to a Traditions 350 Legend.

Gun Owners Expect Trump To Lift Nearly 100-Year-Old Restrictions On Silencers

Under the Trump administration, Wyoming gun rights advocates hope that a 91-year-old restriction on suppressors — aka silencers — will be lifted. However, nobody expects fully automatic weapons to become readily available.

Mark HeinzFebruary 15, 2025

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