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.

134 Articles Published | Follow:
Dean Redbeard Mundhenke turkey hunting in the south.
No Cure (Dean Redbeard Mundhenke) – A Southern Turkey Hunting Film

Exploring the legend of turkey hunter Dean “Redbeard” Mundhenke Dean “Redbeard” Mundhenke is a legend…

A veteran turkey hunter using a pot call to call in wild turkeys.
I Only Use Pot Calls – A Seasoned Turkey Hunter Confession

Yes, you can be successful only using pot calls There was a time when I…

A bird hunter in a field hunting pheasant.
2020 Bird Hunting Season – The Project Upland Original Film Series

Take an inside look at the 2020 bird hunting season for the Project Upland community.…

A turkey hunter successfully shoots a turkey.
The Last Turkey Hunting Tactic You Will Ever Need

The highly effective turkey hunting tactic known as the turkey calling retreat This article originally…

A bird hunter in Connecticut
Connecticut Small Game and Bird Hunting Seasons and Opportunities

Connecticut offers amazing bird hunting like woodcock and pheasant as well as other small game…

Hunting the three species of Southwestern quail in Arizona.
All Wild – An Arizona Quail Hunting Film

Chasing the three Southwestern species of quail: Gambel’s, Mearns, and scaled in the Arizona desert.…

A purebred wirehaired pointing griffon on a hunt
Hunting Dog DNA Tests – Protecting Purebred Lineage

Investigating the importance of DNA testing hunting dogs and its application to stud books The…

Creative Director of Project Upland with his bird dog.
What We Can do for the Ruffed Grouse Society

An Open Appeal from the recent Ruffed Grouse Society #HealthyForests film featuring Project Upland Creative…

Two pointers on a plantation quail hunt.
Plantation Quail – A Southern Bobwhite Film

A glimpse into the culture and tradition of plantation quail hunting in the South. For…

A bird hunter wearing an Orvis Waxed Cotton Strap Vest
Review of the Orvis Waxed Cotton Strap Vest

A look at the Orvis Waxed Cotton Strap Vest for bird hunters. The quest for…

A woman kisses her bird dog.
Can Bird Dogs Help Save the Future of Hunting?

Confirming bird dogs as a silver bullet of R3 in the future of hunting recruitment…

An AYA No. 2 sidelock shotgun
The AYA No. 2 Sidelock Shotgun

Built on the time-tested Holland and Holland design, the AYA No. 2 is the affordable…

A bird hunter carrying a Remington 870 pump shotgun
Remington 870 Pump Shotgun — The All-Around American Classic

Like many have found growing up hunting, the Remington 870 pump shotgun is made for…

Marissa Jensen bird hunting in Nebraska
Never too Late – An Adult Onset Hunter Story

It does not matter how old one is, becoming a hunter is a priceless experience…

A bird hunter on public lands in Utah hunting for the grouse species ptarmigan
Public Grouse Documentary – Now Streaming on Various Platforms

The one-hour feature film featuring the story of the Public Grouse in America, produced in…

Dr. Joe Spoo give a sporting dog a physical.
Dr. Joe Spoo, aka the GunDogDoc Series – a Specialist in Sporting Dog Medicine

Introducing a new series on sporting dog care, first aid and health with Veterinarian Specialist…

A Llewellin setter on point.
Llewellin Setter – The Full History of the Richard Purcell Llewellin Legacy

Is there such a thing as the Llewellin setter in the 21st Century? Speak the…

A snowshoe hare in thick cover.
How to Hunt Snowshoe Hare with a Versatile Hunting Dog

Experimenting with ideas of hunting snowshoe hare with pointing dogs. This is an open call…

A bird hunter wearing the L.L. Bean Pa'tridge Strap Vest II
Review of the L.L. Bean Pa’tridge Strap Vest II

Take a seasoned look at the practical use of the L.L. Bean Pa’tridge Strap Vest.…

A turkey hunter carries a 20 gauge shotgun through the woods.
Can I Use a 20-Gauge to Hunt Turkeys?

A look into breaking tradition by hunting turkey with a 20-gauge Yes, yes, yes. I…

A wirehaired pointing griffon retrieves an American woodcock
Do Woodcock Walk and Run from Points?

Exploring the phenomenon of woodcock that decide walking is better than flying. It can be…