I love the idea of having multiple PC nobles getting together to hunt but thought the solo hunt (your PC noble with assorted NPC minor nobles) would be the easiest first step. I may very well be wrong though...
As far as mining H/P goes, I would rather not curb it excessively. A common complaint is that it can take forever for new characters to gain enough H/P to do cool things - especially in times of peace. Having another avenue of garnering some H/P would be good in my opinion. I still think that the odds need to be set so that battle is clearly the best means of H/P gains and would even be fine with a cap set on how much H/P one can gain via hunting. Awarding H/P for group (multiple PC Nobles) hunts and not for solo (only your PC noble) might help in curbing how often a character is awarded H/P.
Regarding the hunting lodge, are you suggesting that the hunting lodge:
* be necessary to form multi-noble hunting parties (my favorite)?
* be necessary to gain H/P n a hunt?
* or both?
