Commissioner Danny Martin announced last week that the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife received a cashier’s check for $300,000 as the last installment on a $500,000 gift from an anonymous donor.

“In these tight fiscal times, it is flattering to see someone support this department in such a generous way,” Martin said.

The anonymous donor pledged a $500,000 gift to the department last August, after learning of the department’s budget challenges in a column written by then-Rep. Matthew Dunlap that appeared in a statewide sporting publication.

The $300,000 check was forwarded to the office of the secretary of state – Dunlap – and the gift will be placed in the lifetime license endowment fund. Interest earned from this portion of the gift will be drawn beginning in 2010. The first installment of $200,000 was used to supplement hatchery improvements and to purchase several ATVs for game wardens.

The donor had earlier stated she is a person who is at home in the woods, who hunts and enjoys boating. She wants the department to continue to provide search and rescue services but realizes that the funds may not always be there.

In a letter she sent with the first installment, she wrote: “Thank you for all your hard work. I believe in your mission. I appreciate the current and historic integrity and accountability of the Department – especially in these fast and high-pressured times – and I hope this helps to perpetuate the activities and ideals of the IFW by buying you a little ‘breathing room.'”

Cabin Fever Reliever on tap

The Penobscot Fly Fishers and Old Town Canoe have combined forces to organize the Cabin Fever Reliever.

The event, which is being held today and Sunday, combines Old Town Canoe’s popular overstock canoe and kayak sale with a variety of outdoor-related displays and seminars. The Cabin Fever Reliever will be held at the Old Town YMCA.

Included in the day’s schedule are fly tying, lure making, rod building, a climbing wall, and much more.

The show will run 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information check www.penobscotflyfishers.com.

Black powder shoot on tap

If the weather isn’t a deterrent to your outdoors enjoyment, you may want to head to Stetson on Sunday.

The Penobscot Longrifles will hold their monthly black powder shoot at their range. The woods walk will begin at 10 a.m., and hot lunch will be served.

The site is located on the New Sweden Road off Route 143, about halfway between Stetson and Etna.

For more information, call Evelyn Chase at 672-9210 or e-mail crash@midmaine.com.

To submit an item for publication in the Outdoor Notebook, send e-mail to jholyoke@bangordailynews.net, fax to 990-8092 or mail information to Outdoor Notebook, Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor, Maine, 04402-1329.