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
Are Coloradans Shooting At Wolves? Bullet Wound Sparks Speculation
A Colorado wolf found dead was killed by another wolf, but also had an old bullet wound, state officials reported this week. It’s sparked speculation that Coloradans have started taking potshots at wolves.
Mark HeinzNovember 09, 2024
In Texas, Cattle Run Loose After Bandits Ram Stolen Pickups Through Fences
Texas ranchers are increasingly dealing with people fleeing law enforcement, crashing stolen pickups through fences and turning their cattle loose.
Mark HeinzNovember 08, 2024
Wyoming Hunter Says 10 mm Pistol Saved Him And Dad From Grizzly Mauling
A Cody, Wyoming, hunter related Thursday how having a round chambered in his 10 mm pistol saved him and his dad from being mauled by a grizzly. The bear was just a few yards away when he shot it in self-defense.
Mark HeinzNovember 07, 2024
Senate District 10: Republican Crum Claims Seat as Furphy Steps Down
In Laramie, Republican Gary Crum defeated Democrat Mike Selmer on Tuesday in the race for the Wyoming Senate District 10 seat being vacated by Republican Dan Furphy.
Mark HeinzNovember 06, 2024
House District 13: Chestek Holds Off Republican Swett
Keeping with a trend of incumbent Democrats winning in Albany County, Ken Chestek held off Republican challenger Shane Swett on Tuesday.
Mark HeinzNovember 06, 2024
Democrat Sherwood Secures Third Term In HD 14 For Albany County
Democrat Trey Sherwood held her Wyoming House District 14 seat in Albany County for a third term, beating Republican challenger Joe Giustozzi on Tuesday.
Mark HeinzNovember 06, 2024
Provenza Wins Third Term In House District 45, Holds Seat For Wyoming Dems
Incumbent Democrat Karlee Provenza of Laramie won a third term in Wyoming House District 45 on Tuesday. She holds the seat for state Democrats, beating Republican challenger Paul Crouch.
Mark HeinzNovember 06, 2024
Wyoming Has The Country’s Only Known Animal Shelter Gas Chambers
After Missouri shut its only animal shelter gas chamber to euthanize unwanted pets, Wyoming is the only state left that uses it. It has two, in Green River and Evanston.
Mark HeinzNovember 06, 2024
Blind Hunter Shoots Wyoming Buck, Hopes To Inspire Others
Tj Cartwright was accidently shot in the face with a hunting arrow 11 years ago, leaving him completely blind. But he didn’t stop hunting, and shot a Wyoming buck this season.
Mark HeinzNovember 05, 2024
Wyoming Experts Say Safety Rules Ignored In Bear Release That Ended In Attack
Armenian wildlife rangers ignored safety rules and did practically everything wrong in a viral video of a bear release gone wrong. Wyoming grizzly experts say the rangers are lucky nobody was killed when the brown bear turned and attacked.
Mark HeinzNovember 05, 2024
Bipartisan Outrage Over New York Killing Social Media Star Peanut The Squirrel
New York’s killing of social media star Peanut the Squirrel has drawn outrage from liberals and conservatives across the country. Critics say the backlash shows government overreach is out of control.
Mark HeinzNovember 04, 2024
Good Business: National Outdoor Apparel Company Sends Handwritten Note About Hunting
Why would a Seattle couple who own a popular outdoor clothing company take the time to send handwritten notes to customers? It's good business. When a Wyoming customer purchased a couple shirts, they mentioned how they eloped on a hunting trip in Baggs, Wyoming.
Mark HeinzNovember 04, 2024
Despite Chronic Pain, Sheridan Woman Continues To Mentor Hunters
Sheridan resident Teri Smith was nearly killed in a head-on collision in 2001 and has suffered chronic pain since. That hasn’t stopped her from hunting and mentoring others.
Mark HeinzNovember 03, 2024
Wyoming Ranchers, Hageman Slam Mandatory Electronic Cattle ID Tags
Rep. Harriet Hageman and Wyoming ranchers are slamming a new federal rule mandating electronic ID ear tags for cattle. The new rule requiring the switch is effective Tuesday.
Mark HeinzNovember 01, 2024
115-Year-Old LaPrele Dam Close To Failure, Will Be Breached
The aging 115-year-old LaPrele Dam southwest of Douglas is in danger of catastrophic failure, so it will be preemptively breached, state officials confirmed Friday. Whether it will be rebuilt is a question for the Legislature.
Mark HeinzNovember 01, 2024
Grizzly 399 Cremated, Ashes Scattered In Pilgrim Creek Area Of Grand Teton Park
Final closure to the story of Grizzly 399 came Friday when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced she had been cremated. The ashes of the world’s most famous bear were scatted in the Pilgrim Creek area of Grand Teton National Park.
Mark HeinzNovember 01, 2024
Oregon Has Close Call With Chronic Wasting Disease From Infected Wyoming Deer
Oregon had a close call with chronic wasting disease when hunters from that state brought home two infected Wyoming deer carcasses.
Mark HeinzOctober 31, 2024
399 Fans Say Taxidermy Would Insult World Famous Bear’s Legacy
However the world remembers Wyoming’s beloved Grizzly 399, some of her most devoted fans say a full-body taxidermy mount of her in a museum isn’t the way to do it.
Mark HeinzOctober 31, 2024
Tiny, Stubborn Idaho Bear Cub Makes 120-Mile Trek To Gorge On Apples
A tiny black bear cub braved a 120-mile trek through some of Idaho’s most remote and rugged backcountry to gorge on somebody's backyard apples.
Mark HeinzOctober 30, 2024
Speed Limit Unlikely To Change Because Of Grizzly 399's Death
The death of Wyoming’s beloved Grizzly 399 has some calling for lower speed limits where the accident happened. But Wyoming transportation officials say one bear death — even Grizzly 399 — isn’t likely to prompt lowering the speed limit.
Mark HeinzOctober 30, 2024
Haunted Wyoming: Laramie Plains Civic Center Is Old, Huge And Haunted (Maybe)
Built in the 1870s, the Laramie Plains Civic Center is one of Wyoming’s oldest buildings, and it exudes energy. Whether the huge 167,000-square-foot former school is haunted is a matter of belief. Some say definitely yes, others aren’t convinced.
Mark Heinz & Reilly StrandOctober 29, 2024