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.

144 Articles Published | Follow:
A bird dog retrieves a ring neck pheasant.
10 Most Popular and Obscure Upland Game Birds in North America

A look into the most popular upland game birds according to the Project Upland audience…

Three turkeys, hunted during the Connecticut turkey hunting season.
Turkey Hunting in Connecticut

Another ‘sleeper state’ for Eastern turkeys in New England. The line of jakes never seemed…

A wild turkey moves silently along the edge of a field.
How to Kill a Silent Turkey

Explore a less traditional but effective approach to hunting turkeys that are silent during the…

a ruffed grouse hunt using a semi-automatic shotgun.
You Do Not Need a Double Gun to be an Upland Hunter

An exploration into the personal ethics and community of upland hunting shotguns Lately, there has…

A worker engraving the stock of Beretta SL3 in the factory in Italy.
Beretta SL3 Review from the Beretta Factory

A look into the new Premium Grade Beretta SL3 in words and film The screen…

an upland hunter holds a ruffed grouse with friends.
A Full Guide to Ruffed Grouse Hunting

Get an accelerated education on ruffed grouse hunting for this fall Whether you live in…

A Eastern wild turkey tom strutting in a field.
Eastern Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) – A Wild Turkey Profile

Rebounding from near extinction, the Eastern Wild Turkey is the King of Game Birds The…

An upland bird hunter walks out into the prairie hunting for pheasant.
Bird Hunting Videos of 2019 – Season 4 Official Trailer and Release Schedule

The 2019 bird hunting season takes us to 9 states, 3 countries, 8 upland game…

shotgun chokes on a table with an over and under shotgun.
Understanding Shotgun Chokes – How to Choose a Choke Size for Hunting

Exploring the practical application of shotgun chokes in wingshooting Let me be upfront. Grasping the…

A skeet shooter stands at the ready for a clay pigeon.
The History and Invention of Skeet Shooting

Exploring the world of skeet shooting from past to present We have all heard the…

A hunter looking for wild turkey in traditional ruffed grouse habitat.
Are Wild Turkeys Considered Upland Game?

In the scientific sense, wild turkeys are upland game; but in the cultural sense, that’s…

a set of raw demi-bloc barrels at the AYA shotgun factory.
What is the Difference Between Demi-bloc and Monoblock Barrels?

Exploring the barrel making process for double-barreled shotguns The first time I heard the word…

Jay Dowd with one of his English setters and a ruffed grouse.
Setters of the Project Upland Community

Fantastic Setters and Where to Find Them (in our films). If there is a good…

Owner of AYA Alex Aranzábal holds up a shotgun in the factory in Eibar Spain.
In Our Veins – The Story of AYA Shotguns

A film looking into the history and story of AYA Shotguns and the city of…

A bird hunter carries a Franchi Instinct L along with a ruffed grouse.
Franchi Instinct L – A Shotgun Review

A look at the Franchi over-under shotgun’s performance in the uplands If ever there were…

Filmmaker A.J. DeRosa with his wirehaired pointing griffon during their first season together.
First Season – Journey of a First Bird Dog

A candid and honest look at a first season with a bird dog.  If there…

A bird hunter holds up a pheasant.
The Good Reasons We Do Not Have Bird Dogs

You don’t need a bird dog to be part of the uplands; it’s just a…

A CZ Sharp-tail being used by a bird hunter.
CZ Sharp-Tail – A Shotgun Review

The CZ Sharp-Tail is a reliable side-by-side shotgun without breaking the bank Opening day of…

A fourth generation sage grouse hunter shows a bird during the bird hunting video.
Fourth Generation – A Sage Grouse Hunting Film – Presented by OnX Hunt

For four generations the Moss family of Montana has been hunting Sage Grouse. Montana is…

A hunter in the field with someone else's bird dogs on a hunt.
The Etiquette of Hunting Over Another Person’s Bird Dog

Think about these rules to get invited back to hunting over someone’s bird dog I…

A meal cooked with an upland game recipe
Pheasant, Quail, Cottontail – A Wild Game Cookbook Review

Pheasant, Quail, Cottontail is an icon in upland game cookbooks from award-winning chef Hank Shaw…