LAST EDITED ON Feb-28-12 AT 10:24AM (MST)[p]For the third year, I attended the expo draw to observe the process. I reviewed all of the winning names as they came off the printer and know that John Bair did not win any tags this year. I don't think he drew anything last year either, if memory serves. In years past he did draw a couple tags, but nothing wrong with that. Somebody has to win, I just wish it were me! I am aware that several officers and highly placed DWR personnel have declared themselves ineligible and do not apply to avoid the appearance of impropriety. While I certainly don't agree with SFW on many issues, the tag drawing seems to be entirely on the up and up. I don't know John Bair more than to say hello in passing, but from all accounts he is one of the good guys.
It seems quite a stretch to find a similar name (not the same, just similar) to try to cast derision on SFW. Additionally, the rifle in question was in a drawing completely separate from the tag draw, and that drawing was held in public also. If you purchased tickets for the Toyota truck and gun raffle you saw the bin and the number of tickets in the hopper at the expo.
Just imagine the injustice if someday John Bair were to win a pack of bubble gum or whatever in a raffle at an RMEF, MDF, or SFW banquet! Some people win these drawings because they enter lots of them and continue to contribute financially to the mission of these organizations. Oh yeah, I won a bow at an MDF banquet two years ago. If I could have back all the money I put into drawings in the last 2 years I could have bought the same bow many times over. While it is nice to win, I apply in these drawings to help support RMEF and MDF.
Bill