In Virginia the law is they have to be older than 12 years to hunt alone. As far as to when to turn them lose on their own it depends on their maturity level, amount of training, whether hunting public or private land, etc. My boys hunted with me but in separate stands as early as 14 or so, but I checked on them at noon and they had walkie talkies where we could communicate. They were 16 and had their drivers permits when they went hunting without me.
