A.J. DeRosa

A.J. DeRosa founded Project Upland in 2014 as an excuse to go hunting more often (and it worked). A New England native, he grew up hunting and has spent over 35 years in pursuit of big and small game species across three continents. He has a passion for side-by-side shotguns, inspiring him to travel the world to meet the people and places from which they come. Looking to turn his passion into inspiration for others, AJ was first published in 2004 and went on to write his first book The Urban Deer Complex in 2014. He soon discovered a love for filmmaking, particularly the challenge of capturing ruffed grouse with a camera, which led to the award-winning Project Upland film series. AJ's love for all things wild has caused him to advocate on the federal and state levels to promote and expand conservation policy, habitat funding, and upland game bird awareness. He currently serves as the Strafford County New Hampshire Fish & Game Commissioner in order to give back to his community and to further the mission of the agency. When those hunting excuses are in play, you can find him wandering behind his Wirehaired Pointing Griffon in the mountains of New England and anywhere else the birds take them.

135 Articles Published | Follow:
A Winchester Model 12 on a bird hunt
Winchester Model 12 Shotgun 

The history, development, and current market value of the iconic American-made pump-action shotgun, the Winchester…

filmmaker Kevin Erdvig with his English Setter grouse hunting
The Point – 10 Years of Project Upland Films

Project Upland celebrates 10 years of filmmaking and the evolution of those who tell your…

An issue of project upland magazine with some upland hunting gear and grouse
Five Years of Printing on the Edge

This open letter originally appeared in the Fall 2023 issue of Project Upland Magazine and…

A woodcock hunter mounts his shotgun in thick forest
Tips for Better Woodcock Shooting Skills

Dive into seasoned tips for mastering woodcock shooting skills. From understanding their unique flight patterns…

A woodcock migrates in the fall
Understanding the Fall Woodcock Migration

Explore the intricacies of the woodcock migration each fall. Dive deep into patterns, triggers, and…

A hunting dog on point while upland bird hunting in North Dakota
North Dakota Upland Hunting Season Dates, License Fees, and More

Embark on a thrilling hunt for grouse and huns amid the serene prairies and rolling…

A ruffed grouse shot while hunting in thick cover.
Tips on Better Ruffed Grouse Shooting Skills

From the shotgun you use to how you adapt to habitat, use these tips to…

A bird hunter with his pointing dog hunting quail in the New Mexico desert
New Mexico Bird Hunting: Quail, Grouse, Pheasant Seasons, Rules, and More

Discover the latest 2023 seasons and license fees for New Mexico bird hunting. Hunt southwest…

Two bird hunters and a bird dog hunting in Idaho.
Bird Hunting in Idaho: Grouse, Quail, Chukar, and More

Who knows how many grouse are hiding in Idaho. Isn’t it time you found out? …

The new Weatherby Orion SxS shotgun
Weatherby Orion SxS – Side-by-Side Shotgun

Weatherby introduces a modern side-by-side as its latest product as a new option in the…

A new upland hunter with a bird dog and grouse.
A Guide to Upland Hunting

This simple guide will give you a basic understanding of upland bird hunting and what…

Remington Model 10 shotgun
Remington Model 10 – Pump-Action Shotgun

The Remington Model 10 shotgun was the first bottom-ejecting shotgun introduced to the American market…

Most Popular Bird Dog Breeds of 2023

Exploring the most popular bird dog breeds of the upland hunting community over the years…

Steel shot cartridges with steel shot pellets
How Effective is Steel Shot?

Discussing the myths, truths, and science behind the effectiveness of steel shot compared to lead…

16-gauge shotgun
16-Gauge Shotguns – Selection, Ballistics, History, and More

Take a look at the history, culture, and current offerening of 16-gauge shotguns One of…

A young hunter holds a youth shotgun wearing blaze orange in the woods
What is the Best Youth 20-Gauge Shotgun?

A growing market for youth shotguns means there are many options to choose from when…

A group of new hunters with a hunting mentor
Hunter Recruitment is Not the Problem People Think it Is

Selling hunting licenses is the only way underfunded state wildlife agencies can increase their budgets…

Recovering America’s Wildlife Act Reintroduced to the 118th Congress

This could be the most important piece of conservation legislation in our lifetime. WASHINGTON, D.C.…

A grouse hunting shotgun with a group of ruffed grouse fans
Defining a Grouse Gun – A Shotgun of Specialist Function

Defining the attributes of the perfect ruffed grouse gun over generations of grouse hunters and…

Woodsmanship plays a successful role in shooting a turkey
Woodsmanship is the Most Important Skill in Hunting

Gaining actual experience in the woods and becoming a better hunter takes true dedication of…

The Many Nicknames of the American Woodcock

The American Woodcock has a storied history in culture that has resulted in many names…