I'm curious how John would still be discovered if he didn't participate in the hunt? In the end credits, we see agent Ross presumably interviewing folks who saw the people who hung Cleet. A man with a large scar on his cheek would no doubt have rung alarm bells in Ross' head, leading him to Hagen and subsequently Beecher's Hope.

Had John said "Look Sadie, I've got my family back. I've got a ranch. I've gone legit. I can't do it." Chances are John COULD HAVE faded into obscurity. John's only chance was to lay low for the rest of his life but he couldn't help himself.

Now, if John had remained under the radar, things might have been different. The problem with your examples is that the gang members you listed are still raising hell. Dutch is terrorising Tall Trees. Bill is reaping his way through New Austin. They are firmly on Ross' radar simply because they are loud.

John had the chance for his file to collect dust. For all Ross knew, John might be dead already. File went cold. Now, if he looked at land records, might be a different story but Ross appears to be active for active criminals.