It all matters. Though I understand the argument shooter wind mattering the most. Once the bullet angles off course it never really goes back to wind zero. What we don't do is "sighter" shots. This isn't a bench competition. We don't even rely on sighters in PRS, which is probably more useful for hunting.
In an open field, in an open valley, shooter wind is simply 1/3 of the solution. If the wind at the shooter, mid and target are 5 mph, then wind dope is for 5 mph. Easy day. Unfortunately, that's not reality.
You might be on top of a fairly isolated peak, shooting down into a valley. Wind at your position might be 10 mph with an updraft riding up the mountain, wind at max ord might be 25, then decent into the valley (target) might be a swirling 4 mph. The smaller the target, the more it all matters.
Well your obviously referring to a rule that all the shooters involved are obligated to abide by, and that makes it fair for all of them. Whats to debate about that?
And your also referring to (might be) situations with wind calls.
When your hunting there are no (might be) situations.
There is the target, you have no control over what that target might do or which direction it might go, or how fast it might go there.
And i am talking about long range shots, not shots under say 500 yards.
All the time we just spent gathering the data for the perfect long range shot, could well be obsolete before we even chamber a round if meanwhile the animal has moved any amount of distance.
Now im not implying thats always the case, but fact is it can be, and sometimes is.
So the system we develop needs to consider all that.
Take advantage of whatever time that animal gives you for making the shot, not screwing around with our gadgets.
For closer shots of say under 7 or 800 yards, we will just add the clicks the chart calls for, maybe hold a bit for wind, and send the shot right at the target.
Unless the bullet strikes something like a tree branch, that as a rule is the only shot fired.
Remember now, most PA. long range hunters cheat, in that they shoot from a bench, or some other very good rest.
And they are apt to be using heavier guns as well with large cartridges.
Its the longer shots that are more apt to be affected by the wind, and our ( personal ) system for that is to if at all possible, send a sighter shot at something fairly close to the target.
What is, is, and there is no questions about what is might be when you see where that bullet impacts.
Meanwhile nothing has gotten hurt with a poorly placed shot.
A win win, all around.