Although the distribution within the range is patchy, it is common and sometimes abundant species that occurs in some protected areas.

Considered "secure" (S5) in British Columbia, but "vulnerable" (S3) in Manitoba where it occurs marginally. Several subspecies are restricted to Alaskan Islands, where they are of conservation concern because of their restricted distributions: S. p. kodiacensis (S3), S. p. lyratus (S3), S. p. nebulicola (S3), S. p. osgoodi (S3?). Otherwise, the species is not ranked in Alaska or the Canadian territories.