In the ribbon hatch system, the default method is to have pick objects, however there is a way to change this, or even to get the old hatch dialogue back if you like that (I have got used to the new hatch ribbon but some still like the old hatch dialogue!)
The system variable HPDLGMODE is the one to change this.
Set HPDLGMODE to 2.
This is the default behaviour of post 2010 AutoCAD. It uses the ribbon interface and pick point is default selection method.
Set HPDLGMODE to 1.
This brings back the old hatch dialogue box if you want it.
Set HPDLGMODE to 0.
This also uses the ribbon interface, however it uses the select objects as the default hatch selection method.
The setting out HPDLGMODE to 0 seems like a good option if you still use boundaries to create your hatch objects and whilst AutoCAD’s hatching system has definitely been refined it still can crash your session so this might be the best way forward until further refinements are made to the hatching system.