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Headshot of Cowboy State Daily's outdoor and wildlife reporter, Mark Heinz.
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. Hes 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

Famed Wyoming wildlife photographer Tom Mangelsen and legendary British primatologist Jane Goodall enjoyed a picnic lunch during Goodall’s first visit to Yellowstone National Park in 2001.

Famed Wyoming Photographer Looks Back On 25-Year Friendship With Jane Goodall

Famed Wyoming wildlife photographer Tom Mangelsen said his close friend, iconic British primatologist Jane Goodall, was driven in her mission, but charming enough to connect with all sorts of people. Goodall died Wednesday at age 91.

Mark HeinzOctober 02, 2025

A Wyoming hunter called in a bull moose to within 10 feet of where he stood while hunting elk Tuesday. The hunter said he experienced a “pure rush,” and was safe because he was behind a tree. “I’m brave, but I’m not an idiot,” he said.

Wyoming Hunter Calls Bull Moose To Within 10 Feet To Experience ‘Pure Rush’

A Wyoming hunter called in a bull moose to within 10 feet of where he stood while hunting elk Tuesday. The hunter said he experienced a “pure rush,” and was safe because he was behind a tree. “I’m brave, but I’m not an idiot,” he said.

Mark HeinzOctober 01, 2025

Baiting big game with corn, salt licks and other treats is illegal and frowned upon as unethical across the West. But it didn’t used to be, and was once standard practice in Wyoming. It’s still allowed in other places, such as Texas.

Baiting Elk With Salt Licks Was Once OK Wyoming, But Is Now Illegal

Baiting big game with corn, salt licks and other treats is illegal and frowned upon as unethical across the West. But it didn’t used to be, and was once standard practice in Wyoming. It’s still allowed in other places, such as Texas.

Mark HeinzSeptember 30, 2025

Hunter who shot a huge bull elk has been accused of trespassing to access public lands for the hunt. This map from onX Hunt, left, shows the private parcel with public enclaves inside its boundaries.

Hunter Who Shot Huge Bull Elk On Public Land Accused Of Trespassing During Hunt

A Gillette hunter who says he shot the bull elk of a lifetime is facing a trespassing charge. A land manager says the hunter had to cross his private property to get to the public land where the bull was killed, and he was cited by a game warden.

Mark HeinzSeptember 30, 2025

A pair of hikers claim that a GPS mapping app called AllTrails left them stranded in a storm on Medicine Bow Peak, prompting a rescue by Albany County Search and Rescue. The app said they were on a trail that wasn't there.

Hikers Rescued From Medicine Bow Peak Say GPS App Left Them Stranded

A pair of hikers claim that a GPS mapping app called AllTrails left them stranded in a storm on Medicine Bow Peak, prompting a rescue by Albany County Search and Rescue on Sunday. The app said they were on a trail that wasn't there.

Mark HeinzSeptember 29, 2025

Migrating snow geese in North Dakota getty 9 28 25

Wyoming Duck And Goose Seasons Open, But Still Too Warm To Bring Many Birds

The weather isn’t cooperating as Wyoming duck and goose seasons opens this weekend. It’s still too warm to bring many birds south, but that should change soon. Storms and cooler weather will draw more birds to the state.

Mark HeinzSeptember 28, 2025

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