Put off fellow initially probing targets of hunt (5)
I believe the answer is:
defer
'put off' is the definition.
('defer' can be a synonym of 'put off')
'fellow initially probing targets of hunt' is the wordplay.
'initially' indicates taking the first letters.
'probing' is an insertion indicator (probe can mean to make a hole in).
'targets of hunt' becomes 'deer'.
The initial letter of 'fellow' is 'f'.
'f' inserted within 'deer' is 'DEFER'.
(Other definitions for defer that I've seen before include "Yield to another's wishes" , "Yield to authority" , "Deal with later" , "Delay" , "Postpone - submit" .)