Being an ultra-yankee was wondering...do the bears down south hibernate????

brown bess

Sort of. They do come out on nice days for a potty break though.

I live near the Smokies and from different references, I have learned that around 60% Hibernate. Therefore, 40% wander around. A Black Bears hibernation normally ends around March and April. This is a good reason to always hang your food bags.

Any idea if the rate of hibernation is related to the severity of the winter?

its heavily related to the birth rate as the mama bears have to den in order to give birth.