I just processed my first duck yesterday and tried to hand pluck. I dry plucked first, and was very excited to see how many feathers came out. Then I alternated scalding with some dish soap and hand-plucking, I did this twice. I was able to get the breast pretty clean of feathers and did a good job on the wings. The back was another story. It was hopeless. I think sometimes with all poultry, you can get one that's growing new feathers and it's a mess. This was the case with ours. I'm using duck wax next time, absolutely. I have a friend who is a duck processing queen and she swears by duck wax. I know there's preparation time with it, but to me, it'll be worth is. I have a 16 month old son who's into everything, and it'll be easier for me to breakaway with what I'm doing if I'm not covered in wet feathers, LOL. Good luck!