Maybe the poll needs to be refined:
1) yes I would cut that piece, and I plan on installing an aftermarket steel bumper someday.
2) yes I would cut that piece, but I don't plan on changing my bumpers.
3) No I would not cut that piece, but I would like a steel replacement bumper
4) No I would not cut that piece, but I don't plan on changing my bumpers on this vehicle.
..... I just have a theory that *most* people who would be putting an aftermarket steel winch bumper on their vehicle wouldn't mind cutting that region if its required to tuck in the winch and really streamline the design.... and that *most* people who wouldn't cut that piece probably aren't planning on swapping the stock bumpers for steel replacements (but I could be wrong.... hence the poll suggestion)
Jon.... you also mentioned different bumpers. Maybe the non-wincher version wouldn't require cutting?
