Ask the taxidermist you plan on taking it to what it would cost to have him do the work and have them tanned. Going to depend on his tannery costs and shop rate. I personally will do it for clients for $x amount and then if they decide to mount it the money paid comes off on the mount. If they decide not to mount it down the road I always give them the option of giving them their money back for the tanned cape if its nice enough I'd use it for remounts. Your other option is to have the taxi cape it and give it back to you to freeze and keep in your freezer. I do the same thing with those too as far as options and payments.