One of the President’s Crawford neighbors, Larry Mattlage, says he wasn’t threatening anyone when he fired a shotgun blast Sunday on his property that startled Secret Service agents and nearby anti-war protesters.

He told reporters he was simply preparing for the start of dove-hunting season.

When asked if he had another motive, he said, "Figure it out for yourself."

“This is Texas,” he said.

Deputies rushed to Mattlage’s home after the shot was fired, but said no laws were broken.

The incident happened as tensions continue to rise over an ongoing anti-war protest surrounding Cindy Sheehan of California, who vows to stay outside the Bush ranch until the President agrees to meet with her or until he returns to Washington, which he’s scheduled to do after Labor Day.

Sheehan started the protest on Aug. 6 in memory of her 24-year-old son Casey, a 1st Cavalry Division specialist who was killed in Iraq last year.

Her makeshift campsite along the road leading to the Western White House has grown to more than 100.

Hundreds more have stopped by for a few hours to show their support.

“We are not leaving until President Bush meets with us and answers our questions about why our sons are dead,” Sheehan said in a prepared statement.