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 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…

grouse hunters in a cover in Minnesota with an English Pointer.
Adventure Awaits – A Pineridge Grouse Camp Story

Deep in the grouse covers of Minnesota sits the Pineridge Grouse Camp, known for its…

A Deutsch Kurhzaar being trained by veteran bird dog trainer Dave Trahan.
A Deutsch Kurzhaar Story – Bird Dog Trainer for a Day

Have you heard of the Deutsch Kurzhaar? We all have our bird dog breeds. For…

Michigan bird hunter holding a ruffed grouse
Michigan Grouse Hunting, Woodcock, Pheasant, and Small Game

More than just the Great Lake State, Michigan is a Mecca for ruffed grouse hunting…

Two grouse hunters walk a logging road with their bird dogs.
Minnesota Grouse Hunting, Woodcock, Prairie Chicken, Pheasant and Small Game

Minnesota may be the epicenter of the bird hunting community and is home to various…

A bird hunting dog wearing a dogtra pathfinder collar.
Dogtra Pathfinder – GPS Dog E-Collar Review, Use, and Value

Overall, the Dogtra Pathfinder is a great solution for those who want a gun dog…

A bird dog on point in thick cover
Hard Lesson Learned on Wind Direction and Hunting Dogs

A hard lesson learned about wind direction for a first time hunting dog handler In…

a sage and braker gun cleaning mat
Gear Review: Sage and Braker Gun Cleaning Mat

A gun cleaning mat built with a quality that will survive generations I have a…

A hunter holds a woodcock while hunting without a dog.
The Unholy Art of Hunting Woodcock Without a Dog

Hunting woodcock without a dog is a culture in of itself. Long before it was…

A partridge hunter holds up a ruffed grouse.
Bird Hunting Without a Dog – Breaking the Stigma

Bird hunting without a dog is a controversial subject in the upland community, but nevertheless…