I you have an area that you KNOW is a native habitat for that particular species, I would think it would be ok to release them. I would find an area with plenty of cover (leaf litter, shrubs, etc) or they won't last long. Or you could sell or adopt out the hatchlings. I can't believe anyone would suggest destroying turtle eggs when it is known that wild box turtle populations are at risk and when it is known that the the pet trade puts a strain on those wild populations.

You can either release them to native habitat, in effect, headstarting a clutch of turtles in the wild, or you can adopt them out or sell them to people who want turtles, which in a small way is taking the pressure off wild populations (ie: the more captive bred turtles that are available, the less reason people have to go out and collect wild turtles for the pet trade. I wouldn't even consider relocating the nest, unless you relocate the eggs to a tub full of vermiculite in an incubator.

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