How to Pluck a Duck

You've been duck hunting, and it's been a good day. You have successfully killed the ducks, and now they are waiting for you to dress them. Or, maybe someone has given you a couple birds. No matter how you acquire the birds, you need to know how to dress the ducks so you can cook them. Hunters have used this technique to pluck ducks for years.

Things You'll Need

• Kitchen shears
• Sharp knife
• Bucket of warm water
• Bucket of cold water
• 1 lb. of paraffin wax

Instructions

1. Dismember the bird's extremities. Cut the wings off as close as possible to the wing joints. Cut the legs off above its "knees."

2. Rough pluck the duck. Using your fingers, pull as many feathers off the bird as possible. It is not necessary to get all the feathers, but do remember to pluck the tail feathers.

3. Heat water until it is hot enough to melt the paraffin. However, do not let the water boil.

4. Dip the duck into the hot paraffin and water. Use the bird's head as a handle when you do this. Make sure the hot wax covers the entire bird.

5. Place the paraffin-covered bird in the bucket of cold water. Let the wax set for up to 15 minutes.

6. Peel the paraffin from the bird after removing the duck from the bucket of cold water. As you separate the paraffin and the bird, the feathers should peel away as well.

7. Remove the duck's head. Pull out the entrails. Remember to dispose the feathers, wing tips, legs, head and guts properly. Also, dispose of the paraffin responsibly.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful with the sharp knife and hot paraffin when you pluck and dress a duck.