I went hunting in Sept and shot a beautiful Texas Dall. The ranch owner has a taxidermist he recommends and since I'm going for a european mount the ranch owner suggests I make arrangements with the Taxidemist to trade the cape for a portion of the services rendered (skull mount-or-mounting plaque, etc) I'm fine with that arrangement and I fully trust the ranch owner and, by default, his taxidermist. But I will probably have my future mounts done closer to home.

So in that type of scenario, what is the value (in dollars) for a cape?

depends on size. Bigger the better. But if your euroing it, it will be average size. Raw cape I would guess $50-$100.

Pretty good size, I just really prefer the euro style mount. Something about keeping the skull and horns together appeals to me.

I understand completely. Euros look good.

Maybe someone with more experience can chime in.

As a taxidermist's son i know that a good S TX whitetaile 18" plus neck sizwe cape is worth around 50-100 bucks depending on condition but as far as exotics go prob less due to the fact less people mess these up if they know theyre going to mout it when the kill is done so in my OPINION id have to say less than 50$ just my 2 cents though for what its worth great ram he will make a great european for shure and good luck