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
Managing Wildlife Tricky When Theyâre Worldwide Celebrities, Like Grizzly 399
Some of Wyomingâs wild animals â like Grizzly 399 and Limpy the Coyote â are more famous than many human celebrities. Biologists say wildlife celebrities create a false image of the species and the ecosystem. âAs with human beings, celebrities arenât the best role models for how to live oneâs life,â one biologist said.
Mark HeinzFebruary 18, 2024
Wyoming Woman Wants Trapping Reform After Her Dog Dies In Beaver Trap
What started out as a routine outing with her English bull terriers ended with Afton's Becky Barber emotionally shattered and dragging the lifeless body of one of her dogs back down the road still caught in the beaver trap that killed him.
Mark HeinzFebruary 17, 2024
When Hornets Battle Bees, Expect Decapitations And Roastings
A global war is raging between giant hornets and bees, with hornets ripping beesâ heads off and bees responding by roasting the hornets alive. Nationally renowned beekeeper Michael Jordan, who lives in Cheyenne, said the insect-on-insect violence in Wyoming is less gruesome.
Mark HeinzFebruary 17, 2024
Bill To Empower Governor To Challenge BLM Rock Springs Plan Passes Committee
The Wyoming House Judiciary Committee voted Friday to advance a bill that would allow the governor to refuse to provide any resources to help enforce any federal land policy deemed to be against Wyomingâs best interests.
Mark HeinzFebruary 16, 2024
Driskill Sponsors Bill To Create Separate Whitetail, Mule Deer Hunting Seasons In Wyoming
Senate President Ogden Driskill is the primary sponsor of a bill that would create separate hunting seasons for whitetail deer and mule deer. Advocates argue separating the seasons would be an important step toward helping Wyomingâs struggling mule deer herds.
Mark HeinzFebruary 16, 2024
Bills Repealing Gun-Free Zones & Lowering Age Of Concealed Carry In Wyoming Reignite Familiar Debate
Wyoming legislators and advocates on both sides of the gun policy debate will cover familiar ground this legislative session with pending bills calling for the repeal of âgun-free zonesâ and lowering the legal age for concealed carry to 18.
Mark HeinzFebruary 15, 2024
Bill Could Break Deadlock On Returning Bighorns To Prime Wyoming Habitat
A bill before the Wyoming Senate could break a deadlock over whether bighorn sheep should return to prime habitat in Central Wyoming.
Mark HeinzFebruary 15, 2024
Is Wyomingâs Coveted Hunting Worth The $2,000 Tag For Nonresidents?
The expense â up to $2,000 â and complexities of Wyomingâs hunting tag drawings is having a chilling effect on nonresidents, two avid out-of-state hunters say.
Mark HeinzFebruary 14, 2024
Wyoming Wants Control Of Cattle Hide Sales, Even As Leather Market Falters
A bill before the Wyoming Senate would make it easier to track the sale of transfer of slaughtered cow hides, but the market for hides might be tanking anyway.
Mark HeinzFebruary 14, 2024
Bill Calls For $50 Million For Wyoming To Sue Feds Over Land Use Policy
Wyoming should set aside $50 million, earmarked for lawsuits against the federal government when federal policy hurts Wyomingâs interest, legislators say.
Mark HeinzFebruary 14, 2024
Nothing Unsafe About Bees On Donuts, Says Wyoming Beekeeper
Wyoming beekeeper Michael Jordan says bees swarming in and on donuts is no big deal. âAs long as you donât get bees in your mouth, youâre safe,â he said. âAnd remember, honey is bee vomit.â
Mark HeinzFebruary 13, 2024
âRed Flagâ Gun Law Money Could Lead To Arbitrary Gun Seizures, Legislator Says
Republican state Rep. Mark Jennings says Wyoming should flatly refuse any federal money tied to âred flagâ gun control laws because it could lead to people losing their firearms without due process.
Mark HeinzFebruary 12, 2024
Although A Grizzly Is On Its Flag, California Unlikely To Reintroduce Grizzlies
Although there are talks to reintroduce grizzlies to other parts of the northwest, California isn't on the list. Wildlife authorities say the large human population wouldn't make reintroduction a good idea.
Mark HeinzFebruary 11, 2024
Even With $2,000 Elk Tags, Hunters Still Want To Hunt In Wyoming
With price hikes that have some nonresident elk tags nearing the $2,000 mark, sticker shock might be keeping some hunters away, but Wyoming still retains a strong pull for hunters all over the country.
Mark HeinzFebruary 10, 2024
Are Wyoming Chainsaw Users Ready To Go Electric?
Until recently, electric chainsaws were little more than glorified garden tools. But technology is getting to the point where theyâre nearly ready for the big leagues, say some Wyoming chainsaw dealers.
Mark HeinzFebruary 09, 2024
Massachusetts Senatorâs âParamilitary Billâ Could Shut Down Wyoming Shooting Sports
Wyomingites wanting to just grab a couple of friends and go target shooting could be breaking the law if a federal bill introduced by a Massachusetts senator passes. The act could be used to ban any gun-related activity, a Cody firearms instructor said.
Mark HeinzFebruary 09, 2024
Holy Cow! Moose Gallops Down Ski Slope At Jackson Hole Ski Resort In Wyoming
It was a wild day on the ski slopes at the Jackson Hole Ski Resort in Wyoming as a moose joined dozens of skiers down one of the runs. A skier who took video of the galloping moose can be heard warning others to âgo fasterâ to avoid getting trampled.
Mark HeinzFebruary 08, 2024
Could An Old Nuclear Rocket Turn Up In Wyoming? It Happened in Washington.
A military-grade, nuclear-capable rocket was found in a garage in Bellevue, Washington, last week. Former military officials and weapons collectors say it could easily happen in Wyoming too.
Mark HeinzFebruary 07, 2024
Don't Let Your Guard Down â Some Restless Wyoming Bears Come Out In Winter
People may think they're safe from bear encounters in Wyoming during winter, but officials say don't let your guard down. Some reports of restless bears have put them on the ski slopes in Jackson and near Yellowstone.
Mark HeinzFebruary 05, 2024
Rancher âNot Surprisedâ Colorado Wolves Already Near Wyoming State Line
Coloradoâs new wolves have covered a lot of ground in about a month, including some forays near the Wyoming state line. Meanwhile, a coalition of ranchers, hunters and others are suing to have any further wolf releases delayed.
Mark HeinzFebruary 05, 2024
After Wyoming Couple Gets Video Of Bigfoot In Colorado, He Pops Up In Utah
Video supposedly showing a Sasquatch tearing across a snowy slope in the Utah mountains on Wednesday seems authentic to a Cheyenne couple who captured video of their own Bigfoot encounter in Colorado.
Mark HeinzFebruary 03, 2024