in texas, as long as your with a parent it dont matter, 16 to hunt alone..
as fer my daughters, my 7 year old daughter shoots a bb gun and a 22lr...my 12 y/o daughter started with a 223 at 8 y/o, and hunting at 9...it was 2 years later before she used her 1st tag...
i think its up to the parent, as lots and lots of safety should be taught 1st.
it will depend on the teacher, and the student, as to how long it will be before young grasshoppa is ready.