6ptsika, don't get too cocky, bud. If you read through the Regulation Sets you will realize that they only notate "Earn a buck" when there is special circumstances that are different than other zones. For example in the zone I hunt zone 14 it is notated that it is an "Earn a buck" zone even after December 14th, which is unusual. Also in the Regulation Set 7 that you mention it is "Earn a buck" for "Sept. 7-27, 2002 Only" which is why it is notated. If there was no "Earn a buck" regs for zone 25 why would they put the note at the end of the Regulation Set for that zone that says, "Reminder: Hunters must have a valid BUCK STUB whenever
taking an antlered deer. Earn-A-Buck requirement ends after
Dec. 14, 2002. Use the 2002 buck stub for permit shotgun and
permit muzzleloader seasons which continue into January and
February 2003. For the 2003 winter bow season, use the 2003
winter bow buck stub."

Sounds to me like you would need a buck stub until December 14, 2002 in that zone. You are right though, the regs can be difficult to interpret. Even if Trock said, "I thought it was a doe and the antlers were dark so I couldn't see them. I made a mistake" or "I didn't know my zone was earn a buck" or even better, "I shot a doe Saturday" I would have no problem with it. Scenario 1 and 2 are honest mistakes and scenario 3 is ideal.

BTW, jealousy has nothing to do with this. I congratulate each and every hunter that I see posting about their success and I have already congratulated Trock. I just want to make sure everything is on the up and up.

If we could get an answer this would all be done with.