Silver teal and Ringed teal get my vote from your list. But if you get a White-cheeked Pintail, I would take that over the Ringed teal. But really it does not matter, you are gonna have an awesome trip, any duck you put on the wall will be sweet, put the duck on the wall that carries the best story, you shot it with one hand while taking a piss etc...Every mount requires a good story. Have fun.

I wouldn't get your hopes up too high on the taxidermy. It's illegal to import any bird from Argentina. If USFW takes frozen solid birds that seriously that would be some loophole to allow mounted birds through with some sort of special customs paperwork.
Having spoken with several outfitters and a few nationally recognized taxidermists, I've never heard of someone trying to do what you're talking about. Personally, I've not booked a trip to Argentina simply because you cannot import your trophies.

I like all of the teal a bunch. On the topic of exporting/importing birds, here is what I found out first hand. Bear with me because it will be long winded...

Before I ever went to Argentina I contacted Eric at Alive Again Recreations because he had just come back from Argentina and had imported birds. First he told me to call the USFWS wherever I would be clearing customs to let them know the time and date I would be coming through with birds. Also you have to have a USDA certified taxidermist to send them to which I believe has to be done at the airport under USFWS observation. Then he told me about all the paper work I needed which I double checked with USFWS at DFW International Airport. I was all good there. I think technically you are not supposed to export birds out of Argentina but I just had them frozen in ziplocks and in those insulated freezer bags and brought an extra duffle bag to check on the way back. We got to the airport and I just set the bag on the scale and they put a tag on it and sent it back with all the other bags. I just planned on playing dumb if they saw it and tried to give me hell about it. I don't think their security is very strict because I walked right onto our plane with a 4 inch pocket knife in my carry on.

The hitch in my plan came when our flight was rerouted through Miami instead of DFW. The customs agents there told me I had to have an "agent" to get my birds back in for me which would cost >=$500. I showed them all my paper work and they were not having it. I think they wanted to make their buddy some money. Anyway we ended up leaving 18 ducks in Miami so we didn't miss our connecting flight after screwing with those guys for 2.5 hours. If I could go back and do it again I'd probably just pay the $500.

Hope that helps.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx/pr/taxidermist-sentenced-violating-wildlife-laws

Well.... This conversation is done.

In June 2012, Schmidt traveled to Argentina and returned to Corpus Christi with 18 birds he hunted in Argentina. Among the birds he killed and imported was one comb duck (Sarkidiornis melanotos), a species that is listed and protected under CITES.

Been talking to my outfitter and he say's I can get birds in legally if I jump through all the right hoops, use import agents and ship directly to a USDA certified taxidermist.

Silver teal and Ringed teal get my vote from your list. But if you get a White-cheeked Pintail, I would take that over the Ringed teal. But really it does not matter, you are gonna have an awesome trip, any duck you put on the wall will be sweet, put the duck on the wall that carries the best story, you shot it with one hand while taking a piss etc...Every mount requires a good story. Have fun.

Is this not exactly what I said? How did I dodge a bullet?

Hey guys.. I don't do a lot of duck hunting so looking for some sage advise from this forum. Going hunting in Argentina next month on a mixed bag hunt which includes a day or two of water fowling. I plan on having a couple ducks taxi'd there and shipped back. Which two of the following (hen or drake) would you make the highest priority?

1. Chilean Brown Pintail
2. Silver teal
3. Argentine Cinnamon Teal
4. Chiloe
5. Speckled Teal
6. Argentine Red Shoveler
7. Ringed teal
8. Rosybill Pochard
9. White faced tree duck

What's the rationale for it being illegal if you shot the birds legally and it is not for trade? I don't get it.

I know this guy that goes to Argentina often, he showed me many mounted ducks he shot down there, so he is doing it somehow. Not sure why Argentina would restrict export of game birds, especially if processed in Argentina.