Man you ask for book load of answers. l have not trapped in several years, but will try to help.
What animal going to target? More than one kind of critter, will call for different ways to place traps, and bait and or lure. Placing a trap on a hill crest ,you might want to target Fox and or coyote's. creeks and or other body's of water call it's own way to trap. Coon's are a great starter animal. He does care so much about your scent. One of the best and easiest sets for coon is a type cubby set. A cubby set is were you build a sore of hut with the front open.Put the bait you are going to use in the back of it, and place a trap in front of the opening.You can use sticks to guide the animal into the trap just stick a couple to narrow the open area goinbg into the hut or bucket. l use to use sticks and bark to make this,is to take a 5gal. bucket and carry your bait. ( Bait for coons fish,sweets. If farm animals are in your area go with sweets. Wire an extry 3'-5' piece of stove pipe wire, and wire this to a lager limb, or to something solid. Now the thing about this set a fox or cotote won't get near it. Another coon set and fox set a dirt hole set take a hand trowel and make a 4" circle about 10 " deep at a angle .Remove the dirt, place you trap right in front of the hole Bed it ferm. and cover dry dirt or if every thing is wet you can buy wheat hulls. Might be able to dig some dry dirt in a shed or under something that would have dry dirt. Can say this enough be a scent free as you can trapping fox and coyotes. They live by there nose. Oh no way enough room to talk trapping. l would say if you can find it can find it buy the magazine Fur-Fish_Game a really good trapping magazine. l would guess a person could pick up some good information on You-Tube on sets, and other trapping hints to help. If you have not trapped before and just starting l say you lucky dog ! You have a lot of fun and work ahead of you. God l miss those days !!