Depends on your predator load, predator types, and how much risk you're willing to take. If you have raccoons I would at least cover the bottom 2-3' with hardware cloth (to prevent reachthroughs), even if you opt to go for a different fencing material throughout.
Also I'd do 1/2", not 1/4" HWC, as most 1/4" is thinner gauge so you're sacrificing strength for smaller holes when 1/2" should exclude everything except maybe very small rats or small mice.
We do have raccoons, weasels, fox, coyotes, eagles, hawks, and a stray wolf every now and then.
I wasn’t sure if the 1/2” would be ok because of reaching or also if they would be able to climb the fencing.
Many critters can climb really well. Will you have a top on it to keep them out as well as flying predators?
Some critters can dig under a fence. Do you plan dig protection. I use a piece of wire 12" to 18" wide attached to the bottom of the fence and laid flat so that anything that goes up to the fence and starts digging hits the wire and cannot get through. I bury my "apron" about 2" deep so the grass roots and dirt hold it down.
While your highest risk is at night any of the predators you mentioned and many more are also active during the day. Usually human activity keeps them away during the day but I've seen coyotes, foxes, raccoons, possum (yes, even a possum), skunks, and a bobcat out during the day. A pretty large risk people don't often think of is a dog. It could be your dog, a neighbors, a stray, or one that was dumped by someone. If you read the posts on here many massacres are by dogs.
Some people can go years without predator attacks, even if they free range. Some can be wiped out almost immediately. There is a lot of luck involved.
A big boar raccoon, a large dog, and certainly a wolf can tear even 1/2" hardware cloth if they can get a good hold of it. Hardware cloth is safer than chicken wire but even it is not certain. Chicken wire will stop many critters. Attaching whatever wire you use firmly is important too. I use furring strips and wood screws to go into wood and J-Clips or Hog Rings to connect to wire.
No one can tell you with any assurance that anything is perfectly safe. You need electricity to stop a bear. Many people go for years with chicken wire and it works for them. Just do the best you can and good luck!
The two dogs help immensely as well.
