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:
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
Upland Bird Hunting in New Mexico: Quail, Grouse, Pheasant, Doves, Hunting Regulations, and More

Hunt four species of quail, blue grouse, three types of dove, pheasant, and other small…

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…

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…

28-Gauge: The Exception of the Sub-Gauge Shotgun

Is the 28-gauge the best shotgun gauge for upland hunters? Uncertainty is one of the…

Ruffed grouse king of the game birds
Is the New England Subspecies of Ruffed Grouse the King of Game Birds?

What factors determine the most challenging game bird to hunt in North America? There are…

A collection of side-by-side shotguns by Upland Gun Company
A New Side-by-Side Shotgun Renaissance

Manufacturers never saw a new side-by-side shotgun revival coming from a younger generation Whose idea…

A grouse hunter shows the fan of a ruffed grouse
Ethics of Bag Limits and Self-Imposed Limits

Should you shoot a limit of wild game birds this season? During my childhood in…

Two bird hunters and a pointing do hunt woodcock in Massachusetts
Bird Hunting in Massachusetts

Massachusetts has a storied history in Ruffed Grouse and woodcock hunting. Today, upland hunting persists…