I’m planning a duck hunt; how should I prepare the birds I want to have preserved?

First, be sure to rinse off any blood on the feathers. As soon as possible, freeze the bird whole in a plastic bag. If you’re having a hard time getting the tail feathers to fit, tie the bag loosely around the bird so you don’t bend them. Allowing the feathers to protrude from the plastic bag is better than ruining them by forcing them to fit.