A.J. DeRosa

A.J. DeRosa, founder of Project Upland, is a New England native with over 35 years of hunting experience across three continents. His passion for upland birds and side-by-side shotguns has taken him around the world, uncovering the stories of people and places connected to the uplands. First published in 2004, he wrote The Urban Deer Complex in 2014 and soon discovered a love for filmmaking, which led to the award-winning Project Upland film series. A.J.'s dedication to wildlife drives his advocacy for conservation policy and habitat funding at both federal and state levels. He serves as Vice Chair of the New Hampshire Fish & Game Commission, giving back to his community. You can often find A.J. and his Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Grim, hunting in the mountains of New England—or wherever the birds lead them.

149 Articles Published | Follow:
Plate 36: Passenger Pigeon & Mourning Dove Artist: Fuertes, Louis Agassiz, 1874-1927
The Extinction of the Passenger Pigeon

The Mysterious Disappearance of a Wandering Migrant  This article originally appeared in the spring 2025…

National Forests Public lands in Arizona
How to Use Social Media to Effectively Advocate for Public Lands and Conservation

Learn some key strategies for using social media to advocate more effectively for public lands,…

BLM Public lands in the West.
The Senate Public Lands Sale – A Breakdown

A Deep Look at the Mandatory Sale of Public Lands in the President’s Budget Bill…

A woodcock with ferns
A 140-year-old Woodcock Exposed an Eco Villain

How an 1885 dissection unraveled a hidden story about invasive worms and the migration routes…

A road winds down grassy and rocky hills on BLM land in Utah.
The Rescission of the BLM’s Public Lands Rule Hurts Conservation

The Public Lands Rule put conservation on equal footing with mining, grazing, and other BLM…

A historic ruffed grouse painting from George Edwards
The Mystery of Grouse Drumming: From Thunder to Artificial Intelligence

This podcast episode uncovers the mystery of how ruffed grouse create their drumming sound, why…

A phone showing the 2025 North American Upland Bird Hunting Survey questions.
Are Upland Hunters Hardcore? The Data Says Yes

This podcast episode dives into the data trends of North American Upland Bird Hunting Survey…

A historic drawing of a Passenger Pigeon male and female.
Why No One’s Heard Of The Passenger Pigeon

This podcast episode explores the history and dramatic extinction of the Passenger Pigeon, once the…

A beautiful scene from the Valley of the Gods in Bears Ears National Monument.
How Do National Monuments Affect Hunting Access?

The origin and history of the Antiquities Act and presidential national monument powers in the…

a female sage grouse in Utah
Cheatgrass May Be The End Of Utah’s Sage Grouse

In the final part of our Great Basin Sage Grouse podcast, we explore the threats…

Male sage grouse dancing on a lek in Utah
We’re Not Sick Of Talking About Sage Grouse

Explore the research of sage grouse and sage habitat in the Great Basin of Utah…

Historic painting of a hunter with various dog breeds in Germany.
The German Influence of Hunting Dogs in America

The German influence on hunting dog breeds dates back to the 19th century when German…

Author Mark Parman with his English Setter while bird hunting.
Upland Matters – Author Mark Parman and Artist Jay Dowd

Mark Parman, author of Among the Aspen and A Grouse Hunter’s Almanac, presents his third…

Hunting dog bells on wooden table.
Are Dog Bells a Hindrance in Ruffed Grouse Hunting?

Weighing the impact of dog bells on Ruffed Grouse hunting tactics and success. With every…

An image of a someone listening to an upland hunting book on Audible.
Hunting Audio Books – Project Upland’s Classic Bird Hunting Books on Audible

Check out our latest bird hunting audio books from classic upland authors and writers. Hidden…

Ryan Busse bird hunting with his dogs in Montana
Montana Bird Hunting for Pheasant, Huns, Sharp-tailed Grouse, and More

Upland bird hunting under the big sky of Montana is a beautiful challenge with a…

A ruffed grouse drums on a log durning the spring.
Ruffed Grouse Drumming – The Mysterious Noise of Northern Forests

Learn everything we know about the unusual Ruffed Grouse drumming sound, from how they make…

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…