re: Plucking ducks...Wax, torch, etc. ?

They're not hard to pluck by hand, especially if not shot and having holes through the skin that could tear when plucking.

Remove the wings at the first joint since there's really no value past there. Do yourself a favor and buy some of those gloves with the textured rubber fingers and palms.

Start on the back, pluck by removing feathers toward the head. Turn the duck over and repeat on the breast and then legs. Pull any tail feathers straight out. Use the palm of the rubber coated gloves to finish removing the fine down off the entire bird.