Welcome aboard.

Quote Originally Posted by Montys_Mom View Post
Do garters or any snake form bonds with a human? I seem to be the only one in the house that he responds to or is comfortable being held by.
Not in the sense you're probably thinking of, but they do most likely differentiate between people and they do remember bad experiences.

I can talk to him and he will react in a positive manner to my voice, sometimes even coming to the front of his tank to be close. Does not respond this way with anyone else.
Highly doubtful that your voice has anything to do with it, snakes are for all intents and purposes deaf. They can pick up vibrations through the ground, but not through air.

I would like to get him on pinkies, but right now he prefers rosy red minnows. Tried worms, would have nothing to do with them, tried crickets and he ended up having one as a tank mate until it finally died. He is an active hunter, voracious eater, and will actually lay in his bowl and pout at me until I feed him...regardless if he ate two days ago or not (and this is not him eating just one small fish mind you). He seems happy, healthy, active, and is growing like crazy so am I safe to assume his diet is okay?
Crickets are definitely a waste of time, they don't belong to garters' diets. Rosy reds aren't the best choice, it contains an enzyme called thiaminase, which breaks down vitamin B1, which in the long run can cause fatal neurological problems and other problems associated with B1 deficiency.

Do snakes HAVE to hibernate? I have had him for over a year and I have never let him do so. I don't want to shorten his lifespan or make him miserable.
Not necessarily, but there are some benefits under some circumstances, such as if you intend to breed a snake, or if it stops eating.