> It's been a while, but I recall finding my cowboy hat during the middle of the day.

Yes, this is the case. You immediately receive a hat when you meet the requirements. It shows up as "new" then.

> But I thought that a hat doesn't come until the next day, so after daily rewards?

Gotcha, in that case I need to amend my proposal to be that you become rewards eligible once you've earned a cowboy hat, whether or not you have one.

It's been a while, but I recall finding my cowboy hat during the middle of the day.

Undisciplined

Pretty much each comment should have a zap, unless it is really in left field, right? 
Thats how I feel at least. 

Satosora

Definitely agree about folks who don't zap not getting rewards.

I'm assuming that person coming back and making a great post is also participating in SN by zapping and commenting as well. But I thought that a hat doesn't come until the next day, so after daily rewards?

Only Cowboys Get Rewards: and other ideas

Definitely agree about folks who don't zap not getting rewards.

I'm assuming that person coming back and making a great post is also participating in SN by zapping and commenting as well. But I thought that a hat doesn't come until the next day, so after daily rewards?