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.Â
Mark lives in Laramie with his wife, Kendy, and the youngest of their five children.
Latest from Mark Heinz
Rare Pneumonia Has Killed 200 Wyoming Antelope So Far
A rare form of pneumonia has killed at least 200 antelope near Pinedale, according to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Its not yet known where the outbreak originated or exactly how far its spread.
Mark HeinzMarch 08, 2023
Four Wheels, Cargo Space And Freedom â Wyoming Man Builds SUV Adventure Brand
A Rock Springs couple say theyve found the perfect balance between stability and adventure, but rather than building out a sprinter van or truck, they prefer their SUV where they've gained a considerable following and dependable income through YouTube and other outlets.
Mark HeinzMarch 08, 2023
Not So Fast, Cheetahs: British Researcher, Wyoming Rancher Trying To Prove Antelope Are Faster
A British researcher and a Uinta County rancher are teaming up to prove that Wyomings pronghorn antelope are faster than Africas cheetahs. The researcher, who works for the Structures and Motion Laboratory at the Royal Veterinary College in London, has extensive experience in conducting speed & motion research on wild animals.
Mark HeinzMarch 07, 2023
Wildlife Crossing Similar To Those Proposed For Wyoming Saves Nearly 2,000 Animals Per Year
Everything from mighty bull elk to mule deer to mountain lions have been saved from becoming roadkill along a treacherous stretch of Colorado highway, proving the effectiveness of wildlife crossings that are similar to projects planned in Wyoming.Â
Mark HeinzMarch 06, 2023
Canadian Man Uses Drone To Get Footage Of Moose Shedding Antlers
Although the aerial footage of a moose shedding its antlers in Canada is cool to see, getting that footage via drone is controversial. Under terms of new legislation just passed, drones will be considered aircraft in Wyoming effective July 1 and this would be illegal.
Mark HeinzMarch 06, 2023
Unhappy New Year For Wyoming Wildlife As Roadkill Numbers SpikeÂ
If you saw dead animals lying all over Wyoming's highways at the beginning of the year, you weren't alone. Roadkill numbers soared all across the state around the holiday season but no one has a handle on exactly why.
Mark HeinzMarch 03, 2023
Price Of Going Hunting In Wyoming For Nonresidents Is Going Way Up (For Some)
The 2024 Wyoming hunting season will be more expensive for some nonresidents. Gov. Gordon signed into law measures that will boost the special draw fees for some nonresident big game licenses as well as price hikes to hunt Big 5 trophy game species.
Mark HeinzMarch 03, 2023
Lions And Coyotes And Wolves, Oh My â Trio Of Predator-Related Bills Signed Into Law Â
Wyomingites will soon be clear to chase mountain lions with hounds during the off-season, shoot coyotes through night vision scopes on public land, and ask for compensation for livestock killed by wolves anywhere in the state.
Mark HeinzMarch 03, 2023
Maybe Nonresidents Can Spend Week At $10 Million Wyoming Shooting Complex While Waiting To Hunt Shed AntlersÂ
Nonresidents will have to wait a full week before joining the hunt for shed antler, after Gov. Mark Gordon signed a bill into law that called for that delay. Gordon on Thursday also signed a bill that could give Wyoming a $10 million shooting complex.
Mark HeinzMarch 03, 2023
Have A Concealed Carry Permit? Be Careful, Gun Regulations Change At the Border.
Leaving Wyoming with a firearm can put gun owners into dicey situations if they arent aware of states differing regulations. If you make a mistake, you could be in deep trouble.
Mark HeinzMarch 02, 2023
Despite Brutal Winter, Gillette Police Not Deterred With Snow Tracks On Vehicles
Winter isnt messing around this year, and neither is the Gillette Police Department. They aren't cheap but "Track N Go snow tracks have proven to be a godsend for, as snow continues to pile up, particularly in neighborhoods where streets aren't plowed.
Mark HeinzMarch 02, 2023
Jugs Of Urine Tossed From Vehicles Remain Persistent Problem On Wyoming Highways
Jugs of urine tossed out vehicles along Wyoming highways have been dubbed trucker bombs and there could be thousands of them at any one time along I-80 and other roads. But one long-haul driver said that practice is generally frowned upon in his profession.
Mark HeinzMarch 02, 2023
Nothing Says âVictoryâ Like Wearing Your Enemyâs Head: Gruesome Video Shows Deer Arenât Gentle After All
Forget about Bambi, deer can be incredibly aggressive toward each other, sometimes lethally so. A wildlife official said a viral video showing a deer wearing his vanquished opponent's head demonstrates that people should keep their distance from wildlife.
Mark HeinzMarch 01, 2023
Nonresidents Will Have To Wait Full Week Longer Than Wyomingites For Shed Antler Hunting
Nonresidents will have to wait a full week longer than Wyomingites to start hunting shed antlers, under a measure awaiting Gov. Mark Gordons signature.
Mark HeinzMarch 01, 2023
Hageman Jumps On Grizzly Delisting Train
Wyoming Republican Congresswoman Harriet Hageman joined the chorus calling for the delisting of grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone area. She announced Tuesday that shed introduced a bill to the House of Representatives to have the bears delisted.
Mark HeinzMarch 01, 2023
Hageman Seeks To End âEco-Griefâ Counseling Program For Distraught Fish & Wildlife Employees
A counseling program for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees purported to be suffering from eco-grief is part of a larger agenda to destroy the energy economy and the U.S. Congress should legislate it out of existence Wyoming Republican Congresswoman Harriet Hageman said.
Mark HeinzFebruary 28, 2023
Wisconsin Man Killed In Lincoln County Avalanche Is Second Reported Wyoming Snowmobiling FatalityÂ
A 24-year-old man from Milwaukee, who died in an avalanche while in Lincoln County is this years second reported snowmobiling fatality in Wyoming. When a large section of snow gave way, the victim slid into a creek and was buried.
Mark HeinzFebruary 28, 2023
$10 Million Shooting Sports Complex One Step Closer As Bill Moves To Gordonâs DeskÂ
Those who argued that a multi-million dollar shooting sports complex would be a big shot in the arm for Wyoming tourism are closer to getting their wishes, as a bill that could lay the groundwork for the facility is headed for Gov. Mark Gordons desk.
Mark HeinzFebruary 28, 2023
Wyoming Nonresident Hunting Fee Price Hikes Will Soar With Govâs Signature
The Wyoming Senate on Monday passed a measure to hike prices for many nonresident hunting tags. That means getting first crack at an elk tag in Wyoming could soon cost nonresidents more than $1,200 and $6,000 for a moose tag.Â
Mark HeinzFebruary 27, 2023
Is Bill To Make AR-15 The âNational Gunâ A Statement Of Freedom, Or Trolling On Epic Scale?Â
While its too early to determine the effects of an effort among some conservative U.S. Congressmen to make the AR-15 the National Gun of America, theres no denying that rifles popularity, a Wyoming gun rights lobbyist said.
Mark HeinzFebruary 27, 2023
Canadian âSuper Pigsâ Are a Real Thing; Although They Havenât Crossed US Border Yet, People Are Worried
While Montana residents remain vigilant for feral swine coming in from Canada, theres no reason Wyoming should fear an imminent super pig invasion sweeping southward like the wrath of God into the Cowboy State.
Mark HeinzFebruary 25, 2023