If Pope and Young is so irrelevant, then why is everyone whining and weeping about their rules?

Because they are NOT irrelevant. Their rules give their book the one thing that only Boone and Crockett can equal.... Credibility.

Yes, I'm sure there are some animals in there that seedy individuals cheated to get in. They can't take the time to totally validate each and every entry. But, if you try to book an animal that gets into the top of the lists or is up for the Ishi Award, you do have to take, and pass, a polygraph.

Personally, I'd hate to have an animal listed that I cheated to put in the book. Every time I looked at the book I'd be reminded that I cheated. In my opinion, it would take a sorry individual to be able to live with that.