Here's my observation, opinion, experience, etc.
With MDs in general being lazy, and less creative these days, the other thing is "Evolution".
Unless you keep your head in the sand, or just set in your stubborn ways, you can't help but notice that not only the way people get creative in overcoming a difficult match stage with new techniques and equipment, but also the way the Hunting and Military world are adapting those same new techniques and equipment. 20-years ago, the use of tripods were very rare to non-existent. Now tripods are utilized by many across the board (Matches, Hunting, Military).
It's a two-fold problem, as MDs create more convoluted stages, shooters evolve into how they overcome those convoluted stages by introducing new equipment, or add a new shooting technique. This adds cost to the match by having to purchase more equipment, and then MDs try to limit that equipment, ban it, or create stupid and unrealistic rules that don't keep up with changing times, it's a viscous circle.
Here are some examples, MD says you have to sling or attach to your pack a collapsed tripod, in reality more and more hunter's in the West, are carrying their tripods extended with binoculars attached, primarily to glass their hunting area, and as a back up to use as a rifle support when shooting over terrain, vegetation, or at high angles. Having that mindset as a MD that every Hunter carries their tripod collapsed is not being realistic. The other thing that's unrealistic is the opinion or belief that everyone carries their bipods folded and collapsed. So what do I do? I go and purchase a specialized tripod that has longer legs, and instead of having twist or lever locks, you just extend it to where you want it, and it stays put. It's a specialized tripod that was developed for situations where quick set up is essential in fast moving photography. I wouldn't use it for hunting or true field use because it's very heavy, but to play the NRL Hunter game of having your tripod stowed/collapsed I was forced to use it to to make up the critical time lost of using my traditional light and compact CF tripod and trying to deploy it.
When I'm in the field, I carry my tripod extended, so I can quickly deploy it for either glassing/ranging or shooting support, and a back up as a hiking staff when in rugged terrain. I keep my bipod legs out, and rest those legs on my shoulder as a way to carry my rifle, as I prefer not to use a sling. It's also quick and handy to have the legs out so you can quickly ground your rifle while getting into position with your tripod.
These stages that are convoluted also cause more financial expense in equipment race game.
Example, MD started introducing more stages where you're not allowed to dial, or par time is 90-seconds for a 10-target stage so Christmas Tree reticle scopes became the rage, and added to the equipment race. One match I regularly attend that requires you to start the stage with your scope set to zero, one time I shot it with just hold overs the entire match (Tremor 2 reticle) just to prove a point, even though there's ample time to dial. I was shooting the stages soo fast the RO/spotter couldn't keep up with me, was kind of funny.
Another example, last few PRS/NRL matches I attended, I carried a huge support bag, something like a 24-30" cube. One match in particular I was squaded with a bunch of top PRS shooters from Oklahoma. At the beginning they were poo pooing my bag, and looking at me like I was crazy, but then half way through the match they're all wanting to use it. Thought it was funny. I'm done with PRS, but if I ever shoot one again, I have the desire to show up with a big 5-ft diameter beanbag chair, and dressed in a clown suit.
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