I've heard a couple of different versions of the story. One was that Gates was trying to play a practical joke on his good friend Don Klien, but the picture he sent got passed around and the story spread like wildfire, getting totally out of control.

There is a picture of Gates holding the Kudu by the horns, but his hands completely cover what was suspected to be the "joint" or where the other horns were slid over the top of the animals true horns. I can't remember exactly, but thought it was taken while Gates was in the field.

I have no idea of the true story, if Gates did actually try to pull one over on all others or if it was just a joke on his good friend.