]] (snip) I can picture Sir John roaming the land during the off-season "hunting" for social activities! I wonder how he handled any lengthy stretches of inactivity. By the number of apologies and excuses he gives to the Dashwoods for failing to assemble a large party to greet them, I wonder if he enjoys fussing over such things?

] he might pounce at a chance to arrange social events in the off-season. OTOH, I can imagine him really not interested in making such arrangements - being interested only in hunting - and that this profusion of apologies is a cover for the fact that he didn't bother to try arranging anything?

I think he is really interested in it, and it's not a cover. It sounds like he has made himself the social director (now picturing Sir John wandering around on the Love Boat!) of the Barton parish and environs:

From Ch. 7
"He was a blessing to all the juvenile part of the neighbourhood, for in summer he was for ever forming parties to eat cold ham and chicken out of doors, and in winter his private balls were numerous enough for any young lady who was not suffering under the insatiable appetite of fifteen."

Another LOL! line about the 15 year olds. But really, who wouldn't want to have someone like that around! Things must be deathly dull, otherwise. I get annoyed with the Dashwoods for not appreciating the effort he is making, at least.

] He doesn't want any competition that might make him look bad. Or he's just reluctant to part with a few of his pheasants, &c. ;o)

My impression from that line was that he didn't really want anyone else to hunt the game he had on his estate. However, it sounds like he sometimes organized or at least participated in hunting parties, as he tells the Dashwoods about Willoughby 'riding to covert' one morning after staying up all night dancing.