Shifting into 1st and Reverse is usually done when wheels are not turning, and since you can't disconnect the transmission from the wheels, it also means the output shaft gears in the transmission are not turning.
The clutch disconnects the engine(flywheel) from the transmission's input shaft(clutch disc).
The flywheel and pressure plate spin at the same RPM as the engine, when your foot is off the clutch pedal the flywheel and pressure plate are the "Bread" in a Clutch disc sandwich, clutch disc being the meat, lol.
When you are stopped with engine idling a 700rpm and push the clutch pedal in and try to put shifter into 1st, the clutch disc(input shaft) must come to a complete stop, because transmission is at a complete stop.
The 3"-4" synchromesh "gear" must slow down that 10" clutch disc to 0rpms for shifter to engage 1st gear.
So if there is any rubbing from flywheel or pressure plate on the clutch disc it can get very hard to engage 1st, or Reverse.
When wheels are moving so it transmission so meshing gears becomes much easier.
So yes, it could be you are no longer getting full travel on clutch Master or Slave, so clutch disc is rubbing slightly.
Bleeding was a good call, air in the system limits travel, but air can also get trapped at the top of the Master because it sits at an angle, and it won't bleed out the "normal" way.
Video here on bleeding Ranger Master:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pd1KDCAhTLc
Yes it could be something has happened to the newer clutch parts, not likely but certainly not impossible.