This is a great technique for smaller birds.

In a large pot of gently boiling water place enough paraffin wax or wax to create a floating layer of melted wax of at least 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.  Make sure the pot is big enough so wax will not spill over as the wax is flammable.

Rough-pluck the larger from the body. legs, wings, and tail.  Pull only a few feathers at a time.  Leave the smaller feathers on the bird, since they make the wax adhere better.

Holding the bird by the feet, dip the bird in the wax and water rotating it gently then slowly remove it from the wax. Continue to hold the bird until the wax hardens enough so it will not stick when set down on paper.  The bird can also be hung by its neck for cooling. To speed this process some hunters place the waxed bird in a bucket of cold water

Allow the bird to totally cool so the wax is hard.   Repeat the dipping and cooling process until a layer of wax 1/8 thick.  Allow the wax to  cool completely.

Peel the hardened wax off the bird. The feathers will come off with the wax, leaving the skin smooth.  You can reuse the wax if you melt the wax and stain it through cheesecloth to remove feathers and debris.

Cut off the feet and tail. Remove the windpipe and entrails if the bird was not dressed prior to waxing.  If dressed remove any wax from the cavity and rinse thoroughly and pat dry.