Hunting near Palmer AK in September?

[swampbear]

Going to be on an anniversary trip with the Mrs the 3rd week of September. Staying in Sutton. Bringing a couple fly rods. The wife said “this is an anniversary trip, not a hunting and fishing trip”. So if I’m doing any of that, it’s going to be limited, and not far from road systems. Trying to decide whether it’s worth bringing a rifle and shotgun for black bear, and possibly ptarmigan. Not looking to moose hunt (due to time restraints and logistics). Anyone with some experience or pointers willing to share? Please feel free to pm. I know nothing about the area.

[PKC]

While it's certainly possible to run into a black bear just about anywhere up there, you will be there at the peak of the moose season (peak of the rut also).  Every ATV trail for miles around will have hunters on them, or recently on them.  Ptarmigan will be above treeline, which is beautiful country but an all-day venture if you are on foot.  I'd bet you are most likely to see grouse and snowshoe hares.  The snowshoe population is very cyclical.  It was very high in 2015-16 so it may be low now.  It's always fun to take a walk in the woods with a gun, so not trying to dissuade you. 

[TeacherMan]

Lived in Sutton for years, had 20 acres on the Matanuska River. Great grouse population but reality not knowing where to go your chances are slim on getting a bear.  Honestly chances of a moose would be higher and with that said they are not worth out of state tag prices.