Bill Schoff could hardly believe his luck. A lifelong hunter from western New York state, Bill had tossed his name into the hat for the 2025 Turkey Hunt Sweepstakes with little more than a hopeful shrug. But when the call came, everything changed. Sponsored by some of the biggest names in the industry—Mossberg, Pnuma Outdoors, Dryshod, and Hawke Optics—Bill’s prize included more than bragging rights. Outfitted with a Mossberg 940 Pro Turkey, camoed head-to-toe in Pnuma gear, with Dryshod Evalusion boots and dialed in with a Hawke Vantage IR scope, he was soon on a plane headed west for the gobbler-rich hills of Wyoming. Waiting in the wide-open country near Moorcroft were the pros at Double A Outfitters, ready to guide Bill on the turkey hunt of a lifetime.
The Big Sweepstakes Win
Bill came across the sweepstakes on the North American Outdoorsman website. As a diehard turkey chaser, the idea of hunting Merriam’s in the rugged beauty of Wyoming seemed like a far-off dream. Yet here he was, getting the call that his name had been drawn. The preparations began in earnest. From dialing in the new 940 Pro with the Hawke Vantage scope, to breaking in the Dryshod boots, Bill was all in.
The Gear That Got Him There
Turkey gear matters, especially when hunting the sharp-eyed, sharp-eared Merriam’s of the west. The Mossberg 940 Pro Turkey was built for this exact kind of adventure—rugged terrain, fast target acquisition, and reliable cycling. Paired with the Hawke Vantage IR 1-4×20 scope, Bill had a quick, bright sight picture, even in the dim first light of dawn. The Pnuma Renegade camo blended perfectly with the rolling pine ridges, and the Dryshod boots proved their worth in the rocky, dew-soaked draws and ridges. Special Thanks to our Sponsors for this hunt:
- Mossberg 940 Pro Turkey in 12 gauge
- Pnuma Renegade – Turkey Camo
- Dryshod Evalusion Boots
- Hawke Vantage IR 1-4×20 Turkey Scope
- NWTF – provided a 3-year digital Subscription to the winner
Wyoming Welcomes
Bill touched down in the heart of WY turkey country and was greeted by the team at Double A Outfitters. Based in Moorcroft, WY, this outfit knows turkeys like a conductor knows his orchestra. From the first evening planning session to pre-dawn coffee and plans at camp, the guides exuded experience and confidence. They knew the land, the birds, and exactly how to position Bill for success. Since we were filming the hunt, they positioned a ground blind near a ridge that gets lots of turkey traffic in the mornings, and it did not disappoint!
The Hunt Unfolds
On the first morning, the hills came alive with gobbles. Toms hammered from a pine-studded ridge, and the game was on. With calls soft and rhythmic, the stage was set, and Bill settled behind his shotgun. The 940 Pro steadied on a pair of crossed knees. Moments later, a fan crested the hill, then another, 4 toms in total. They strutted into view, sunlight glinting off magnificently colored feathers. When the dominant bird paused, the Hawke optic found its mark, and the Mossberg roared. One perfect shot, and a dream fulfilled.
Now it’s the author’s turn
As fate would have it, I was along for the ride—also part of the Sweepstakes crew, geared up with the same rock-solid equipment and guided by the same top-tier Double A team. With Bill tagging out early, the spotlight shifted, and I had my own tag to fill. Wyoming didn’t disappoint. We glassed birds in the late afternoon hour, maneuvered through timbered ridges, and spent time working cagey toms that gobbled but hung up just out of range. Then, on a breezy afternoon beneath a dimming sky, the calls brought one close.
A lone Merriam’s tom came drifting up a nearby ridge. He was about 3 ridges away from us, so the stalk began. We kept him interested with some soft calls while we closed the distance. He was coming up one side of a ridge while we were on the opposite side. And we met at the top with him fanned out like a parade float, marching straight towards us. I shouldered the Mossberg 940 Pro, the reticle of the Hawke scope settling firmly. One breath, one squeeze, and the bird dropped clean. That Tom might as well have been dipped in ivory—white-tipped fans, an echoing gobble, and the kind of wild excitement only the West can deliver. Sharing this moment in the same camp, on the same trip, alongside Bill made the victory sweeter. We were two hunters from different towns, bound now by one incredible adventure.
The Double A Outfitters Difference
Reflections in the Field
Back at camp, Bill was all smiles. The bird was beautiful—snow-white tipped tail feathers, and the kind of full fan any Merriam turkey hunter dreams about. More than the hunt, though, it was the experience: the early mornings, the laughter, the rolling hills and long shadows of Wyoming. The guides and hunters shared stories,toasted to success, and gratitude hung in the air like woodsmoke. This particular week, 5 out of 5 hunters tagged out with magnificent colored toms.
Exploring the Legends of the West
With his tag filled and a few days left to soak in the West, Bill took the opportunity to explore the sights that make this corner of America truly iconic. Just a short drive from Moorcroft, the ancient monolith of Devils Tower rose from the earth like a sentinel—sacred, surreal, and unforgettable.
From there, the road trip continued across the state line into South Dakota, allowing Bill to stand beneath the chiseled faces of Mount Rushmore, reflecting on the presidents and the power of the American landscape. Makes you proud to be an American!
At the Crazy Horse Monument, he admired the immense scale and the story of a native people etched into stone.
And in Deadwood, where legends like Wild Bill Hickok once walked, he wandered the historic streets and saloons, soaking in the Old West atmosphere. It was more than sightseeing—it was a journey through time, framed by the same hills and valleys where he’d hunted just days before.
A Trip to Remember
Bill Schoff may have started as a sweepstakes winner, but he left Wyoming with something money can’t buy: memories forged in adventure, gear tested in real country, and a trophy Merriam’s tom that will forever remind him that dreams sometimes do come true. He tips his cap to Mossberg, Pnuma, Dryshod, Hawke, and especially the crew at Double A Outfitters.
For those still dreaming, don’t wait. Enter the next sweepstakes! The next name drawn could be yours, and the next hunting tale might just be your own.
Per our affiliate disclosure, we may earn revenue from the products available on this page.
